May 12, 2008

Australia's 2008 rapeseed crop to rebound, if weather permits

Production from Australia's 2008 rapeseed crop should rebound sharply from last year's drought-reduced harvest if planting rains fall in the coming weeks, the Australian Oilseeds Federation forecast Monday (May 12, 2008).

Production from the crop to be harvested in November and December is forecast at 1.80 million tonnes, up from an actual 1.07 million tons from the previous crop, the federation said in a monthly crop report.

High prices and benefits to the soil from rotating rapeseed through a farm's cropping cycle is supporting grower planting intentions, it said.

"Rain is needed in the next few weeks on the east coast to see planting intentions realized," while further rain also is needed in South Australia, it said.

But there has been an excellent start to the season in Western Australia with above-average rainfall in April, except for the southeast Esperance region where planting rains are needed, it said.

The federation also estimated output from a sunflower crop now being harvested in northeast Australia at 74,000 tonnes, up from an actual 18,000 tonnes last year, while soy output is projected at 35,000 tonnes, up from 32,000 tonnes last year.

The federation represents the interests of the oilseed industry participants across the supply chain.