Australian
Oilseeds Federation
Crop Outlook
Soybeans 2003/04
Despite good yields throughout many parts of Queensland and
the north coast of NSW, hot weather conditions in February
and March have taken their toll. Disappointing yields in
northern NSW dry land crops and in the Riverina have been
the main reason for the lower estimates.
Harvest is 80% complete and quality in most regions has been
good. Green Vegetable Bug damage in the Atherton Tablelands
and Burdekin has resulted in lower production in northern
Queensland, but other parts of the sunshine state are
reporting good yields and above average quality. North Coast
NSW harvest is well advanced and crops are yielding well
with production estimates up slightly. However, damage from
hot conditions in the early months of 2004 has been realised
as harvest has commenced with production estimates down in
northern NSW and the Riverina. Harvested area in the
Riverina has been revised down with yields also down
slightly.
Victorian production has also been slightly reduced.
Soybean processors in southern Queensland are reporting
sightings of Bruchid beetles for the first time. Previously
the beetle had only been present in central Queensland. They
are considered a common insect with stored pulses. Tell tale
signs are when beetles are leaving perfectly rounded holes
from where they emerge from the grain. More information can
be found at
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fieldcrops/3936.html
Soybean
|
State |
Area Planted (Ha’s) |
Production (Tonnes) |
|
Queensland |
15100 |
32725 |
|
NSW |
17765 |
40140 |
|
Victoria |
546 |
819 |
|
Total |
33411 |
73684 |
Source: Industry Estimates, 16/4/04
Sunflowers 2003/04
|
Area Planted (ha’s) |
Production (tonnes) |
|
Monounsaturated sunflower |
|
Queensland |
10,000 |
11,500 |
|
NSW |
16,200 |
23,500 |
|
Polyunsaturated sunflower |
|
Queensland |
15,000 |
14,800 |
|
NSW |
4,950 |
8,200 |
|
Total |
46,150 |
58,000 |
| |
|
|
|
Source: Industry Estimates, 19/4/04
Heat
stress has severely affected some sunflower crops in Central
Queensland reducing March production estimates by 2,000
tonnes. Large numbers of white fly are also appearing on
seedling crops but it is too early to say if this will
impact yields.
