19 February 2008 |
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| Record grain sorghum crop likely |
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| Australia's grain sorghum crop is forecast to increase by 80 per cent to a record 2.5 million tonnes in 2007-08, reflecting average to above average rainfall since October 2007 throughout parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales, the latest Australian Crop Report reveals. The February issue of the Australian Crop Report was released today by ABARE's Executive Director, Phillip Glyde. "While recent floods around Emerald in Queensland damaged some of central Queensland"s grain sorghum crop, the increased yield potential in the southern Queensland grain sorghum growing regions will more than offset the losses," Mr Glyde said. Mr Glyde noted that total summer crop production for Australia is forecast to be more than 3 million tonnes. This is well short of the previous record of 5.3 million tonnes in 2000-01 and reflects small rice and cotton crops in 2007-08. In the case of rice and cotton, Mr Glyde noted that a lack of irrigation water at the time of planting means only a small area was planted to each crop. As a result, the harvest of these crops will be down by 90 and 58 per cent respectively on the previous year. The 2007-08 winter cropping season is an improvement on the previous year"s drought reduced harvest, but still well below average. Total winter grains production is estimated to have been around 22.6 million tonnes in 2007-08, up by 30 per cent from the previous year but well below the five year average of 35 million tonnes. Of the major winter grains, Mr Glyde said that "wheat production is estimated at around 13 million tonnes, barley around 6 million tonnes and canola just over 1 million tonnes." |
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| For media interviews and comment, please contact Leanne Lawrance, grains commodity analyst on 02 6272 2028, mobile 0407 458 526 or email llawrance@abare.gov.au. For general media enquiries, contact Maree Finnegan, Media Coordinator on 02 6272 2260 or email mfinnegan@abare.gov.au. |
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