Farmers set to harvest third largest canola crop

Australia’s canola crop is set to be the third highest on record, despite a challenging season. See why.

Yield estimates for canola indicate the crop will be the third largest on record at harvest this year.

This comes on the back of two previous record seasons for the crop.

The Australian Oilseeds Federation’s latest crop report shows farmers will harvest an estimated 5.59 million tonnes this year.

The figure compares to the record 7.9 million tonnes from the 2022 to 2023 season.

Meanwhile, the 2023 winter crop has been challenging, and there were concerns about yield penalties due to the difficulties in securing urea.

However, southern NSW and the Riverina through to Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania are showing the promise of good results.

Australian Oilseeds Federation chief executive Nick Goddard.

Australian Oilseeds Federation chief executive officer Nick Goddard said it was still a wait-and-see approach to gauge how Western Australian crops would hold up.

WA currently has 1,845,000 hectares of canola planted and is expected to produce a yield of 2,580,000 tonnes later this year to contribute the lion’s share of Australia’s production.

NSW farmers have planted 840,000ha of canola this season with an estimated yield of 1,265,000 tonnes.

South Australia planted 275,000ha with a yield expectation of 550,000ha.

Victoria has 550,000ha of canola in the ground with an anticipated yield of 1,195,000 tonnes.

He said if the overall crop reaches 5.5 million tonnes, it will be Australia’s third largest.

“These yields are a testament to good farming practices and good varieties,” Mr Goddard said.

Despite the positive yield outlooks, Mr Goddard said seasonal risks could still impact the overall outcome.

“It’s still early days when we look at the forecast,” he said.

“For many parts, there’s sufficient subsoil moisture to keep the crop in a wholesome position.”

Canola in flower. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Agronomist and farmer Don Kirkpatrick at Mangoplah in southern NSW said he had emptied another 7mm out of the rain gauge this week.

“Canola is pretty much in full flower everywhere now, and the crop looks good,” he said.

Mr Kirpatrick said prices were holding up well too. Values weren’t at the extreme highs of last year, but returns from $674 to $735, depending on where you deliver, also fuelled optimism.

“Anything more than $600 for canola is good,” he said.

With canola playing such an important role in cropping rotations throughout Australia, he said seeing the crop doing well was positive.

“So far, so good; I guess we will see what happens at the windrowing time,” he said.