Australia: Winter crop sowing under way amid mixed conditions

Sowing of Australia’s 2024-25 winter crop is under way in all states of Australia amid mixed conditions, Grain Central reported on April 10.

Very early indications are that only 3 percent of the national area has been planted to date, and most of that is grazing crops like oats and vetch, plus some early canola.

Growers generally like to open their main-season planting on April 25, Anzac Day, but agronomists say those who have just had rain, or are happy to sow dry, are making an early start.

Australian Crop Forecasters has released its preliminary estimates for the crop now being planted, and puts national wheat area at 13.6 million hectares (Mha), up from last year, barley at 4.4Mha, up 3pc, and canola at 3.2Mha, down 4pc.

“It’s very dry in Western Australia, where they’ve already started dry seeding at a slow pace,” ACF senior insights manager James Maxwell said.

“There’s a chance not all will be planted, and there will possibly be further downside for canola.”

The Grain Industry Association of WA will release its initial forecast for planted area next week, and while dry conditions in WA are not unusual ahead of the autumn break, the impact of a brutally hot and dry summer for much of the Wheatbelt may well be seen in initial GIWA numbers.

“Looking in eastern states, Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria are expecting close to full plant.

“Based on seasonal and market conditions, more barley is expected to be planted in eastern states; prices are still good, and we’ve seen the return of Chinese demand.”

Canola could well be a different story.

“Canola area is seen as being down, due to lower prices and not as much confidence in the season, particularly in WA.

“South Australia is dry, and definitely needs good opening rains to get going at full confidence. “

10 April, 2024