Seasonal Climate Outlook Message for January to April 2007

The bottom line

Summer Crops Need Rain Dave McRae 22/01/07

Based on soil water conditions at the end of December and the seasonal rainfall outlook for January to March most cropping regions in southern Queensland and northern NSW have a below to very much below average crop yield expectation for the 2006/07 summer growing season. This is in comparison to central Queensland where the expectation is that sorghum shire yields will be closer to long term average. Widespread useful rain is still needed to improve the current crop outlook.

The regional sorghum crop outlook is based on the assumption of cropping after a winter fallow and does not take into account effects of poor crop nutrition or damage due to pests, diseases, heat or frosts. For more information follow the link to the seasonal crop outlook at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/climate or contact Andries Potgieter on (07) 4688 1417.