onditions and beneficial rains in Western and South Australia producing areas are expected to result in significant production increases for Australian wheat in 2013/14, and will more than outweigh lower expected production in drought-affected areas of Queensland and New South Wales.Increased production prospects for coarse grains are expected as well in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria, where abundant rainfall and beneficial growing conditions are expected to lead to the third largest barley crop on record.
Delayed planting and unfavorable seasonal conditions have resulted in lower sorghum plantings and are expected to lead to lower yields. As a result grain sorghum production is forecast to decline by 20 percent to 1.6 MMT in 2013/14.
Continued lack of winter rainfall across rice production areas has led to irrigation shortages and lower rice plantings due to higher water prices. As a result rice production is forecast to fall to 907 TMT in 2013/14.
