December 7, 2006

 

South Australia's wheat harvest only 40 percent of last year

 

 

Production from a wheat harvest that is nearly done in South Australia state would reach 1.5 million tonnes, just 40 percent of the last crop year due to drought, but still up from a low point estimate two months ago, according to a Crop Report issued Thursday by the government's Department of Primary Industries.

 

The Crop Report forecast total production from winter crops at 3.0 million tonnes, down from actual output of 7.4 million tonnes previously.

 

New crop barley output is estimated at 1 million tonnes, down from 2.5 million tonnes previously, while canola yield is 80,300 tonnes, down from 224,100 tonnes.

 

Peter Fulwood, a senior consultant at the department who prepares the Crop Report, said the harvest is more than 80 percent done and will be all but over by Christmas.

 

Two months ago, Fulwood outlined a worst case scenario whereby wheat production might not get past 1.0 million tonnes.

 

"Cereal yields have been variable but often better than expected now," he said.

 

Wheat quality has been generally quite good with adequate grain size, relatively few small pinched grains and high protein, he said.

 

"In a season where maximum water use efficiency has been critical, the best performing crops have generally been those sown early using no-tillage (systems) to conserve moisture," he said.

 

South Australia contributed about 15 percent of the last crop year's national wheat production of 25 million tonnes, a ratio that appears to be holding up for the new crop.

 

Most of the state's production are slated for export.