Miller Magazine Issue: 135 March 2021

20 NEWS MILLER / march 2021 In its latest crop report released on 16th February, The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) estimates national winter crop produc- tion in 2020–21 to be the second biggest harvest on record. Australia expects record crop harvest Acting ABARES Executive Director Jared Greenville said winter crop production is estimated to have incre- ased by 89 per cent in 2020–21 to 55.2 million tonnes. “This is 7.4 per cent higher than the forecast presented in the December 2020 crop report,” Dr. Greenville said. “The upward revision was the result of yields conti- nuing to exceed expectations as harvest progressed, particularly in New South Wales and Western Australia. Wheat production is estimated to have increased by 120 per cent in 2020–21 to 33.3 million tonnes. Barley production is estimated to have increased by 45 per cent to 13.1 million tonnes. Canola production is esti- mated increased by 74 per cent to 4.1 million tonnes. SUMMER CROP The 2020–21 summer crop season is forecast to be better than last year but still be below average. Area planted to summer crops is estimated to be 1.04 million hectares—nearly three times larger than in the heavily drought-affected 2019–20 season. Dr. Green- ville said yield prospects are expected to benefit from favourable rainfall outlook and mild temperatures fore- cast for autumn. “Summer crop production is forecast to increase to 3.3 million tonnes in 2020–21,” Dr. Greenville said. “This is around 13 per cent below the 10-year ave- rage to 2019–20 because planted area remains below average due to limited planting in New South Wales on the back of large winter crop plantings and a poor start to the summer crop season in some areas of Que- ensland. Area planted to grain sorghum is estimated to have increased by 258 per cent in 2020–21 to 511,000 hectares. Production is forecast to increase by 409 per cent to 1.5 million tonnes.