The Queensland Department of Primary Industries Centre for Climate Applications says soil water conditions and the seasonal rainfall outlook indicate a "near normal" chance of getting an above median yielding sorghum crop in the 2003/2004 season.

However, the centre's Dave McRae says the situation will vary across Queensland's sorghum cropping regions. "

At present there is a 40% to 50% chance of exceeding medium sorghum yield for most areas in the Central Highlands, Dawson-Callide and Maranoa, with some small areas, such as the Monto and Duaringa Shires, showing slightly above average chances (60 to 70%) of exceeding long term median yield," Mr McRae said.

"Some useful falls of rain since the start of October have helped the seasonal crop outlook, especially in Central Queensland, but, given the below average rainfall recorded in almost all cropping areas during the May to October fallow period, subsoil moisture generally has not been recharged to acceptable levels for planting summer crops."