April 11, 2006

Plantings in Australia's wheat producing state jumps 18 percent
 

Wheat plantings in the state of New South Wales in Australia would 14 percent to 2.9 million hectares, according to preliminary estimates in a grains report issued by the state's Department of Agriculture.

New South Wales is one of the top two grain producing states in Australia, accounting for as much as 32 percent of the nation's crop.

Preparations for the 2006 winter crop, to be planted mostly in May and June, have been delayed by dry conditions in central and southern areas of the state, the report said.

Some northern areas have good subsoil moisture, but surface soils are dry and good rains are necessary to allow sowings to proceed full-scale, the report said.