ABARES crop report: winter crop volumes remain low

Victorian winter crop production is tipped to defy an expected nationwide slump.

Shining light: For Victoria, winter crop production is predicted to almost double for 2019-20 to about 7.4 million tonnes.

WINTER crop production is expected to slump to just under 29 million tonnes for 2019-20, about 5 per cent below last season’s volumes.

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences’ crop report, released today, shows production was “largely unchanged” from December estimates, however, barley and canola production was predicted to lift.

Barley production is expected to increase 7 per cent to 8.9 million tonnes while canola production is likely to also lift 7 per cent to 2.3 million tonnes, the report found.

Wheat volumes are forecast to drop 12 per cent to 15.2 million tonnes.

For Victoria, winter crop production is predicted to almost double for 2019-20 to about 7.4 million tonnes.

“Victoria’s major growing regions had great conditions, and the results reflect that,” ABARES acting executive director Peter Gooday said.

“Soil moisture levels have also been replenished after having some nice ongoing and timely rainfall recently.”

ABARES forecast planted area for winter crops to increase 7 per cent, after fewer crops intended for grain and oilseed production were cut for hay compared to last year.

Wheat production is estimated to increase a massive 85 per cent in 2019-20, to 3.6 million tonnes.

The state is also expected to produced a bumper barley crop, rising an impressive 127 per cent for 2019-20 — recording 2.5 million tonnes.

MORE: NATIONAL WHEAT PRODUCTION PLUMMETS

SUMMER CROPS REVISED DOWN

According to the report, a predicted 113 per cent increase in the average yield — driven by good seasonal conditions in the Wimmera and Western District — was boosting the increase.

And off the back of low canola production last year, after crops were cut for hay, this year’s volumes are expected to lift 117 per cent to about 650,000 tonnes.

GrainGrowers chair Brett Hosking said this month’s overall winter crop production estimates came as “no great surprise”.

“There has been strong demand from the livestock industry for grain so stock levels are shrinking,” Mr Hosking said.

He said looking ahead to next season, the east coast was in a “much better position” but he warned that growers were still in the period where the season still hadn’t “shown its hand”.