Mixed Pulse Picture in Australia

VANCOUVER - Sep 18/08 - SNS -- August ended up being a mixed month for pulse crop development in Australia, with near normal rainfall improving yield prospects across most of South Australia and Victoria, while dryness hurt crops in southern New South Wales and Western Australia.

The net result is total pulse production in Australia is expected to total 1.62 million metric tons (MT), up from 1.27 million last year, but down from last month's 1.653 million MT Forecast.

Commenting on the latest production estimates, Pulse Australia said, "Continuation of timely rainfall from September to October is going to be essential to achieve respectable pulse yields. (The last four to six weeks in Queensland and northern New South Wales) has seen some very cold weather for a protracted period over the entire northern grains region from Emerald to Dubbo. This has seen considerable frost damage as well slow growth. Rainfall has been limited with some good falls recorded is some areas at the end of August.

"Current yield expectations for chickpeas and fababeans are average to below average. Those crops that were sown on time, and into good soil moisture, emerged and developed quickly until the cold hit. Some of these crops were at early flowering with a few having some early pods, most which have been dropped from the plant due to the cold.

"Those crops that were planted later in June, were commonly planted on lower soil moisture profiles, have seen reduced crop growth due to the cold and many still have a reduced soil moisture profile due to the lack of rain. Generally, most crops have lost 2 to 3 weeks of growth due to the cold which, if this is combined with a short harsh spring, could result in: shorter crops of lower biomass resulting in some harvest difficulties; and yields would remain at average to below average," Pulse Australia says.

"If we have a longer period of cool temperatures in spring combined with some good rainfall then this would provide many crops with the time and moisture required to recover from the reduced growth and moisture loss that has been associated with this period of cold weather."

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