Spraying had also started in South Australia, he said. It was too early to say if spraying was producing success. Protein levels were likely to be high because of the dry. The NSW crop was likely to be above average, with good yields in the southern and central areas but with dry weather downgrading the crop in the north of the state. Rain was needed urgently in many areas but forecasts showed none on the horizon.
Further shrinkage is probable without rain.
The current crop would be significantly down on the state average of about eight million tonnes and on the 9.2 million tonnes produced last year, Warburton said. South Australia was also headed for a bumper crop, with more good rain forecast. AWB's receivals for Victoria last season were about 2.6 million tonnes and all indications were that this year would be as good or better than last year, he said. This leaves the locusts the biggest threat. Analysts estimate that billions of locusts infest 1.5 million hectares and that three million tonnes of wheat is threatened.