Few Surprises in ABARE Pulse Estimates

VANCOUVER - Jun 17/08 - SNS -- There were no surprises in the latest pulse crop production estimates from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE), though the government agency trimmed forecast production levels from some of the coming season's crops from initial predictions released by Pulse Australia.

It is still early in the season and since forecasts are based on yield projections instead of recent averages or trend yields, new crop production estimates can be volatile as crop forecasters account for changing growing conditions and the actual attitude of growers toward individual crops.

Looking at the overall situation in Australia, ABARE said, "With the exception of Western Australia, the majority of Australia's winter cropping regions received below average autumn rainfall. The lack of autumn rainfall meant many winter crops were dry sown or not sown during the optimal planting window as growers waited for rain. Widespread rainfall in early June in the eastern states provided the moisture for growers to complete intended cropping programs."

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