FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/01 - AUSTRALIA (11 June)
Prospects for the 2001 winter grain crops improved significantly with the arrival of much needed rains in early June after a prolonged dry spell. The moisture benefited crops that had already been planted into dry soils and encouraged many farmers to continue planting winter grains. After a promising start to the planting season, a prolonged dry during most of April and May had threatened to make many farmers reconsider their cropping plans, which would have led to a reduction in the winter cereal area. The latest official forecast for the 2001 wheat crop, which was released in early June, just before the arrival of the beneficial rains, was cut considerably from earlier expectations to 21.7 million tonnes, similar to last year�s level. However, based on latest indications there is renewed likelihood that the final outcome will be a crop somewhat above last year�s level, although maybe not as large as the season�s first forecasts suggested. The difference may be taken up by barley, which is normally later sown, and would have been the preferred winter crop should the dry conditions have continued. The harvest of the 2001 rice crop is virtually complete, and a record harvest of nearly 1.8 million tonnes has been gathered, reflecting increased availability of irrigation water and ideal growing conditions during the rice season.