February 5, 2007

Australian rainfall deficiencies remain over wheat lands
 

Rains in parts of eastern and southern Australia last month eased or removed some short- and medium-term rainfall deficiencies, but severe longer-term deficits remain, which could threaten the viability of coming winter crops, the government's Bureau of Meteorology reported Monday.

For the 13-month period ending Jan 31, serious-to-severe rainfall deficiencies affected a large part of wheat lands in the south-east, with the bureau warning that the worst of the deficiencies are likely to remain for some time.

If severe rainfall deficiencies were to be removed by the end of April, rainfall February through April would need to be in the highest 10 percent of the historical record over many areas, or at record high levels in some instances, it said.

The deficiencies occurred against a backdrop of multiyear rainfall deficits that have severely stressed water supplies in the east and south-west of the country, it reported in a monthly drought statement.

Growers of wheat, barley and other winter crops hope for good autumn rainfall to help build soil moisture ahead of plantings, usually in May or June.

Australian wheat production fell more than 60 percent to under 10 million tonnes this crop year, ending Mar 31, in the face of a severe drought. The decline has sharply constrained export availability.