Australia
June 12, 2007
Source:
Australian Oilseeds
Federation
Canola 2007/08
 While
estimates for area planted and production are relatively
unchanged from last month, there remains considerable
uncertainty in area planted and yield forecasts across the
country. On the east coast the very difficult year in 2006/07,
following a series of below average years, has given rise to
discrepancies in estimates for area and yield as a return to
better seasonal conditions occurs. In the west, conditions are
variable across the state and canola production is concentrated
in the south. As such, it will not be unexpected to see some
shifts in numbers as the season progresses.
Between the opening late April
break and rain in mid May, all areas of New South Wales
have received a good start. This was followed by a broad rain
event of 12-18 mm in late May and further rain (15 – 70 mm) in
central and northern areas around 6-8th June. The south of the
state has missed out on these most recent falls. In the north,
crops are looking good and there is good sub soil moisture. In
the central west, crops are variable, but overall looking very
good. Crops range from the 2-leaf stage to almost full ground
cover. In the south, crops have shown rapid emergence and good
early growth. Crops range from 4-6-leaf stage to almost full
ground cover. Warm mild conditions have supported the crop.
There have been reports of insects across the state and weeds
are expected to be an emerging problem. Insects have not caused
significant damage at this stage, with the exception of some
isolated crops and growers have been controlling them. The
favourable price outlook and better growing conditions have
given growers a more positive attitude towards insect and weed
control and top dressing. Overall area has been revised up
slightly and there could be further upside on this.
Estimates for Victoria have
been left unchanged with exception of a slight improvement for
the Mallee. The crops are looking very good and the State has
experienced an almost ideal start. Insects have been active, but
growers are on top of this and they are not expected to cause
any significant loss. The Wimmera is showing a strong increase
in canola plantings on the significantly reduced areas of the
past few years. Crops in this region vary from just planted to
the 4-leaf stage. The area in the Mallee is up significantly
from last year and planting is continuing. Crops vary from just
being to sown to the 5-6 leaf stage. The crop in the North East
is looking very good and is at 4-6 leaf stage or better. The
western district is pretty much planted, although there have
been some delays with the wet conditions.
Conditions are good across
South Australia although vary from slightly below average
rainfall on the Eyre Peninsula to above average in the south
east. The crop is virtually all sown with the exception of some
pockets in the South East where it has been too wet. There have
been reports of insect activity, but like the other states,
these are not expected to cause significant problem. Estimates
have been kept the same, but there will be upside if conditions
continue to be favourable.
The start in Western Australia has
not been as good as last year and conditions are variable across
the state. Follow up rainfall in southern half of the state has
been sufficient to keep crops going, although it has been patchy
in central districts. The North of the state is still dry and
waiting for rain. This is likely to be too late for extra canola
to be planted. The southern port zones remain good, but are now
looking for rain. The Kwinana zone is variable. Like the east
coast, there has been a high incidence of pests requiring
growers to spray. Estimates for the area planted have been
revised down to 400,000 hectares. There remains some uncertainty
around the area and yield estimates.
Visit the virtual canola site is
now live at
www.australianoilseeds.com
 Soybeans
2006/07 This forms
our final numbers for the 2006/07 soybean crop, with production
finishing at just under 32,000 tonnes. While only across small
areas, there were some promising results for growers, with
Riverina growers achieving yields of a 4.0t/ha crop average.
Sunflowers 2006/07
 The
sunflower crop remains very disappointing and estimates are for
a total of 18,000 tonnes. Harvesting of late plant sunflowers on
the Liverpool Plains is being hampered by frequent rain events.
In some areas, heavy falls of 60-80mm will delay harvest for
some time. Otherwise harvest would have been completed by now.
Yield
reports under some centre pivot irrigation are exceptionally
good at 3.1t/ha. Any irrigated crops are expected to yield well
with climatic conditions during seed fill and oil lay down
conducive to plump grain and high oil. |
