Nogger's Blog

01/11/11 -- Harvesting of wheat in NSW is expected to begin this week, according to the state's Department of Primary Industries.

"Timely rain in the last week of September and further rain through October has consolidated the NSW winter crop," they say. This has led to an increase in yield prospects from the 2.29 MT/ha forecast in September to 2.42 MT/ha now, they say. Even so this pegs wheat output for the state at 7.1 MMT, 19.8% down on last season's bumper crop.

Barley output is seen at 1.75 MMT, 25.4% down on last year, with rapeseed production forecast at 6.5 MMT, an increase of 2.4% and early indications are for good oil contents, they add.

In contrast, near perfect growing conditions in Western Australia this year could see wheat production there double to 9.5 MMT, potentially the second largest wheat crop in the state's history.

Well above average yields are being reported in early harvested wheat in the northern wheat belt of the state, my spies tell me.

If anything the crop here has maybe had too much rain in September/October which may lower protein levels however.