SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
INTRODUCTION
The 2006-07 season was characterised by very dry conditions in most states with record and near-record low rainfalls recorded in many areas. Most cropping regions of Australia experienced a near total lack of rainfall in late winter to mid spring. The lack of rainfall over this period was combined with above average temperatures. These conditions severely limited summer crop production. In particular, a lack of irrigation water for rice growing had a significant impact on rice production in 2006-07.
CROPS
Wheat
The total area sown to wheat for grain in 2006-07 fell 7% from the previous year to 11.6 million hectares. The three main growing states were Western Australia (3.9 million hectares), New South Wales (3.6 million hectares) and South Australia (2.2 million hectares).
Production of wheat for grain in 2006-07 fell 58% from the previous season to 10.6 million tonnes. In Western Australia, production was reported as 4.9 million tonnes, in New South Wales it was 2.7 million tonnes and in South Australia it was 1.4 million tonnes.
Barley
The total area sown to barley for grain in 2006-07 fell 7% from the previous year to 4.1 million hectares. The main growing states were South Australia (1.2 million hectares), Western Australia (1.1 million hectares), Victoria and New South Wales (both 900,000 hectares).
Production of barley for grain in 2006-07 fell 56% to 4.2 million tonnes. Major producing states were Western Australia (1.7 million tonnes), South Australia (984,000 tonnes) and New South Wales (777,000 tonnes).
Grain sorghum
The total area sown to sorghum for grain in 2006-07 fell 17% from the previous year to 637,000 hectares. In Queensland, the main growing state, the area sown was 458,000 hectares, while in New South Wales it was reported as 178,000 hectares.
Production of sorghum for grain in 2006-07 fell 29% to 1.4 million tonnes. Production in Queensland was 933,000 tonnes, while in New South Wales it was reported as 431,000 tonnes.
Oats
The total area sown to oats for grain in 2006-07 rose 5% from the previous year to 978,000 hectares. The three main growing states were New South Wales (394,000 hectares), Western Australia (291,000 hectares) and Victoria (177,000 hectares).
Production of oats for grain in 2006-07 fell 57% to 733,000 tonnes. In Western Australia, production was reported as 423,000 tonnes, in Victoria it was 134,000 tonnes and in New South Wales it was 120,000 tonnes.
Other crops
In 2006-07, the total area sown to canola was 1.0 million hectares, the area planted to sugar cane for crushing was 391,000 hectares, and the area planted to cotton was 163,000 hectares. The area sown to lupins for grain was 746,000 hectares, and the area sown to rice was 21,000 hectares.
In 2006-07, canola production was 517,000 tonnes, lupins for grain production was 473,000 tonnes, and rice production was 161,000 tonnes. The production of sugar cane cut for crushing was 35.1 million tonnes, and the production of cotton lint was 283,000 tonnes.
LIVESTOCK
Milk cattle
Preliminary estimates indicate the number of milk cattle in Australia was 2.6 million head at 30 June 2007. Victoria continued to dominate the dairy industry with a herd of 1.7 million.
Meat cattle
Preliminary estimates indicate the number of meat cattle in Australia was 25.6 million head at 30 June 2007. The dominant states in the industry were Queensland with 11.5 million head and New South Wales with 5.6 million head.
Sheep and lambs
Preliminary estimates indicate the number of sheep and lambs in Australia was 86.3 million head at 30 June 2007. The dominant states in the industry were New South Wales with 28.6 million head, Western Australia with 21.1 million head and Victoria with 17.7 million head.
The number of lambs marked in Australia was reported as 33.9 million in 2006-07.
Pigs
Preliminary estimates indicate the number of pigs in Australia was 2.6 million head at 30 June 2007. The dominant states in the industry were New South Wales with 741,000 head and Queensland with 669,000 head.
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