ENSO wrap points to drier spring

Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Tropical Pacific Ocean continue to nudge El Nino thresholds, while other ENSO indicators such as trade winds, tropical cloud patterns and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) are showing patterns more typical of neutral conditions. Climate models surveyed by the Bureau of Meteorology continue to point to the development of an El Nino before the return of more neutral values towards the end of 2012 or early 2013. The Bureau says that warmer than average tropical Pacific waters, combined with other influences such as cooler than normal waters to the north of the Australian continent and the patterns of cloud and ocean temperatures in the Indian Ocean, tends to favour below average spring rainfall over much of Australia. This forecast is supported by a consistently positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) for the past seven weeks, and forecasts it will remain positive throughout spring. A positive IOD is usually associated with decreased spring rainfall over parts of southern, central and northern Australia.

Mixed outlook for winter crop harvest

Winter crop production across Australia is forecast to total 36.2 million tonnes this year, 20pc lower than the record harvest of last year, according to the September edition of the Australia Crop Report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES).  The forecast reflects relatively dry seasonal conditions in Western Australia and some parts of south eastern Australia, ABARES executive director Paul Morris said. In contrast, northern NSW and Queensland are expected to achieve above-average yields due to more positive seasonal conditions. Despite being back on last year, the crop is still expected to be 17 per cent higher than the five year average. Wheat is forecast to total 22.5m t (24pc down on 201-12), barley at 7m t (19pc down) and canola 2.8m t (2pc down). Mr Morris said the supply of wheat available for export will remain high, reflecting the significantly high production of the past two seasons. At the beginning of August 2012, stocks of wheat held by bulk handlers in Australia were around 11.5 million tonnes, around double the stocks at the same time in 2009. The area planted to summer crops this year forecast to rise by 6pc to around 1.7 million hectares, reflecting good subsoil moisture levels, expected high grains prices and plentiful supplies of irrigation water.

Tambo cattle theft investigation continues

The Queensland Police Stock and Rural Crime Investigation Squad is seeking the help of livestock transporters as it continues its investigation into the reported theft of 860 cattle from Tambo in central western Queensland earlier this year. Detective Sergeant Warren Baker told Beef Central this week that the investigation centre was still being operated out of Charleville. “We are still seeking information from any truck drivers that may have been contracted to pick up cattle from Yandarlo or Southhampton Downs between 22 April and 22 May 2012,” he said. People with further information can contact investigators in Charleville on a direct line (07) 4650 5562.

Austere budget for Qld

Queensland farming groups say they are hoping to see cuts to red tape to generate cost savings for primary producers in the absence of new investment in the rural sector in the new LNP Government’s first State budget, handed down yesterday. AgForce said it accepted that an austere budget was necessary to bring the State into a balanced debt scenario, but also expected continued investment in frontline services for agriculture, which the Newman Government has identified as one of four pillars of the Queensland economy.  “Additionally, in the absence of solid spending commitments, we are looking forward to the cutting of red tape which will lead to cost savings for producers as opposed to additional investment,” outgoing president Brent Finlay said. AgForce said it was good to see included in the budget a long-term, 30 year plan for agriculture, a focus on prioritising transport and infrastructure requirements in order to take agricultural products to supply chains; and $4.8 million in funding for research and development in the grain and pulse industry. The Queensland Farmers Federation said the budget set out some positive and welcome commitments for the primary production sectors including funding for horticultural workforce development, sugarcane industry R&D, and research into increasing Queensland’s capacity as a food bowl for Asia. However CEO Dan Galligan added that agriculture was assessing inevitable impacts of cuts to staffing and programs in agricultural departments, and industry would be ensuring the government was made well aware of any adverse ramifications that result.

Qld Govt outlines veg management reforms

The Queensland Government has announced its strategy to streamline vegetation management across Queensland, which it says will maintain strong environmental standards while reducing the regulatory burden on landholders and boosting agricultural productivity.  Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the changes focus on creating “flexible, regionally-based vegetation management approval systems”. The planned reforms will allow landholders to undertake routine management activities such as vegetation thinning, weed control, fodder harvesting and clearing of vegetation encroachment in accordance with self-assessable codes and without the need to regularly apply for permits; and receive exemptions for vegetation management activities undertaken to allow for environmental works, and as part of clean-up operations following natural disasters. In addition, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines will work with local Natural Resource Management and other groups to create practical Area Management Plans (AMPs) that provide an alternative approval system where landholders will need to notify the Department of their intention to clear, then comply with the conditions of the AMP.