September 7, 2009
Rainfall eases stress on Australia's grain areas
Australia, the world's fourth largest wheat exporter, received rainfall over the weekend in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland states, easing concern that production may suffer after adverse weather.
The rain would significantly help ease the increasingly evident moisture stress across parts of the Queensland and NSW wheat belt, said Luke Mathews, agri-commodity strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Growing regions in the two states needed urgent rain after hot, dry weather cut yield prospects, Commonwealth Bank said on August 24.
Growers in Australia rely on rain in September to help boost yields in winter crops including wheat, barley and canola before the harvest from November.
A front and trough were starting to spread some rain over NSW, Queensland and Victoria, and a high-pressure system was directing some showers over coastal South Australia and keeping Western Australia dry for now, the bank said.
West Australian production might be greater than forecast a month ago after most areas had good rainfall in August, according to the state government.
The state may produce 11 million to 13 million tonnes of all grains this harvest compared to the previous 10 million to 12 million tonnes, the local Department of Agriculture and Food said.
Wheat output may be 7.5 million to nine million tonnes, it said.
