Australia
February 09

Source: Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF)

Canola 2008/09

Canola production estimates have been finalised for the 2008/09 season. The crop finished better than expected with the variable conditions on the east coast not impacting yields as significantly as expected. The good finish to the Western Australian crop has seen production revised up also. Overall production for the national crop has been revised up to 1.88 million tonnes.

Sunflower 2008/09

Harvesting of early planted mono crops has commenced in all areas except Liverpool Plains. Yields are reported as ranging between 1.2 to 1.8 tonnes/Ha and early oil results are indicating 40 to 41%. The effect of the hot dry
conditions across northern NSW and southern Queensland on late crop yield potential is still to be realised. The
proportion of the crop on irrigation is expected to hold up average yields. Almost 80% of the crop is mono‐unsaturated type, with poly around 20% and balance in birdseed/confectionary types.

The Liverpool Plains has experienced very hot and dry conditions for most of January and February. This has
placed all crops under stress and depleted remaining soil moistures to critical levels. Rainfall of 30‐50 mm on 14‐15 February was received across most of the region and this will benefit the crop going forward. The early planted crops are ranging from mid grain fill through to harvest ready. Current yield estimates are for the crop to average 2.0 t/ha, with better crops possibly realising 2.5 t/ha.

Rutherglen bug pressure has been minimal, although most growers have sprayed at least once for Rutheglen bug and/or heliothis.

Harvest is now underway in the Moree district for early planted crops, about two weeks behind usual practice. The
rainfall in mid February will delay harvesting for a further week. Yields have been variable ranging from 1.2‐2.0 t/ha. Oil yields are averaging around 38%, but some crops have yielded in the low 40% range. The late planted crops are varying from budding through to flowering, with the mid month rainfall providing a well needed boost to these crops.

Soybean 2008/09

January and February have seen a mixed bag for the national soybean crop, with extremely heavy rainfall in
northern Queensland causing flooding and water logging combined with hot dry conditions in southern Queensland and NSW. Overall, the national crop prospects are still positive at this stage although favourable conditions for the remainder of the season are required to realise potential.

Planting has been finalised in Queensland, with heavy rainfall in early February preventing the possibility of
further planting reported last month. Overall there are no changes to last month’s area predictions. The effects of the heavy rainfall in northern and central Queensland are still to be determined and it is too early to account for the effect on potential crop yields. Crops in southern Queensland have continued to experience stress due to the hot, drier conditions. This is expected to impact yields in these regions, but the prospect of rain in mid to late February could counteract this effect and thus, estimates have been left unchanged at this stage. The Burnett, Lockyer and Fassifern areas received small rainfall events in early February which have help to sustain crop growth and potential.

Website: http://www.australianoilseeds.com

Published: February 15, 2009