Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) Technical Specialist Cereals, Frank McRae 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,”

he said.

Senior agronomist at Delta Agribusiness Harden, Tim Condon said that ideal conditions and great yield potential gave farmers the best conditions for sowing this crop season. “Farmers were vigilant with summer weed management this year and autumn produced perfect soil conditions,” Mr Condon said.

“The most important factor other than rainfall is that farmers were able to sow on time and in the most ideal conditions,” he said.

Mr Condon said that farmers are still a little anxious about the spring rainfall.

“Spring rain is critical for the crops and most farmers are still a little anxious despite a good spring forecast,” he said.

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.