ABARE’s Deputy Executive Director Paul Morris noted that prior to Christmas 2009, the area planted to summer crops was considerably down on recent years. Although the rains came too late for any major additional plantings in southern Qld and northern NSW, further sorghum plantings are likely to occur in central Qld.

Despite higher than average yields and some additional plantings, summer crop production is forecast to fall to about 2.4 million tonnes, which is 36 per cent less than the previous season and will be the smallest summer crop since 2006-07.

Overall, summer crop plantings are forecast to fall by 27pc to about 845,000 hectares in 2009-10.

The total area planted to grain sorghum is estimated to have fallen to 429,000 ha, the smallest area since 1992-93.

Grain sorghum production is forecast to be about 1.3mt, about 47pc of what was produced in 2008-09.

An increase in the allocation of irrigation water has resulted in the area planted to rice rising to about 19,000ha, more than double the 8000ha planted in 2008-09.

Rice production is also forecast to increase to around 175,000t as a result of higher average yields following ideal growing conditions to date.

Cotton plantings are estimated to have increased by 23pc to 202,000ha despite irrigation water remaining an issue for the industry.

Following completion of the winter crop harvest, Mr Morris said winter crop production in 2009-10 was estimated to have increased to 35.2mt, a 4pc increase over the 2008-09 crop.

Wheat production is estimated to have increased by 3pc to 21.7mt, barley by 5pc to 8mt, and canola by 3pc to 1.9mt in 2009-10.

* More at abare.gov.au