Figures released by Industry & Investment NSW showed that canola plantings are estimated at 316,500 ha, an increase of four percent on the May estimate of 304,050 ha.

Chickpeas are the dominant pulse crop with estimated plantings now at 337,070 ha, which represents 65% of the total pulse plantings.

Early sown grazing cereals are providing excellent grazing in most districts. Many growers have insufficient stock numbers to utilise the feed being produced by these crops.

Winter crop estimates of 5.15 M ha are now achievable following late May and several June rainfall events. Estimated winter cereal area is 4.31 M ha with 0.84 M ha of pulses and oilseeds.

Boorowa Pastoral agronomist Tom Corkhill said despite backline and locust concerns and damage caused by heat stress last year, local farmers are seeing yield potentials not seen in years. He said he hopes prices remain in a reasonable state so farmers can get a decent return.

“At this stage everything is looking on track for one of our better years for yield potentials,” Mr Corkhill said.

“The local soil moisture profile is full, and further prospects of rain will put us in a good position.”

Frank McRae, Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) Technical Specialist Cereals said most of NSW received good rains in the last few days of May and early June which produced the best conditions in years for crops across the State’s central and southern regions.

“This rain allowed farmers to consolidate crop prospects and for others it was ideal for finalising plantings,” Mr McRae said.

“Continued rain and ideal spring conditions could turn around the fortune of our farmers with the possibility of State-wide average yield of 2.7 tonnes a hectare for wheat.

“It’s been a long time coming, but Industry & Investment NSW now estimates a winter crop planting of 5.15 M ha is achievable.

“The recent cold snap meant some areas recorded severe frosts in late June/early July that slowed both crop and pasture growth.

“But luckily these frosts were followed by rainfall across the Tablelands, Slopes and Plains that ranged from 5 to 23 mm.

“The best falls were recorded across the South West Slopes.”

Mr McRae said 98 per cent of potential plantings were sown by the end of June with around 115,000 ha of cereals left to be sown.