Queensland

Australian Crop Report: March edition

Summer crop production is forecast to increase 66% to 2.4 million tonnes. The large increase in forecast production is the result of favourable climatic conditions driving increases in planting area and yields.

In southern Queensland, a positive seasonal outlook and good soil moisture conditions prompted a large planting of early sown summer crops. In addition, the wettest November on record provided well above average soil moisture levels through November and December 2021. Although the wet conditions did result in some cotton growers having to replant, the moisture availability supported the establishment and yield potential of crops. A relatively dry January provided ideal conditions for sorghum to mature as well as harvesting activities to progress in southern Queensland. The favourable conditions throughout the season resulted in well above average yields and good grain quality.

In central Queensland, planting of the sorghum crop mostly started in late December but a particularly dry January has resulted in average to below average soil moisture levels. Above average rainfall is expected across summer cropping regions over the coming months, which will support continued crop development and yield potentials in central Queensland. The challenge ahead will be exporting the large sorghum crop, given the current disruptions to supply chains. For cotton, above average rainfall over the past 18 months has replenished on- and off-farm water storage levels. Along with strong international prices and good soil moisture availability, cotton planted area is expected to have increased significantly.

Winter crop production in Queensland is estimated to have increased 69% in 2021–22 to 2.8 million tonnes – the second largest winter crop on record. The large increase in production is due to an expansion in planted area and above average yields.

Heavy rainfall events across southern Queensland and parts of central Queensland in autumn 2021 increased soil moisture levels in key production areas and encouraged a large planting of winter crops. Relatively favourable prices for feed barley, compared to wheat, also saw a shift in area towards barley plantings in southern Queensland. Further rainfall in July supported yield potentials of crops as they entered the critical stages of flowering and grain filling in spring.

As a result, wheat yields were well above average across much of the Darling Downs, although protein content tended to be slightly lower than usual. Dry soil moisture conditions persisted throughout much of the growing season in central Queensland and western parts of the Darling Downs, resulting in below average yields. Although much of the Queensland winter crop was harvested prior to the heavy rainfall in November, a small but significant proportion of wheat was downgraded due to damage. Likewise, the wet finish to the season resulted in quality downgrades for chickpeas and increased abandonment.

Note: Yields are based on area planted, except cotton which is based on area harvested. Area based on planted crop that is harvested, fed off or failed. Percent changes are relative to last year.
Sources: ABARES

Note: Yields are based on area planted. Area based on planted crop that is harvested, fed off or failed. Percent changes are relative to last year.
Sources: ABARES