Australia: Crop estimates now range from 7.0 to almost 8.0 million tonnes

Crop estimates now range from 7.0 to almost 8.0 million tonnes. Beneficial rainfalls continued during the month, in some places they were overabundant. In South Australia and Victoria planting was finally only two to four weeks late, crops are looking fine today. In NSW the rains since end June provided for further delays, which led to an increase of barley acres, when farmers considered the time had past for seeding of wheat. Stocks of old crop barley have reached a bottom. It may well be that Australia brings in a large barley crop, but it requires constant rainfalls and moderate temperatures in view of low subsoil moisture and the late planting. One state, Western Australia, has enjoyed almost optimal conditions all season long.