Thanks to support from John Deere, Kondinin Group has engaged Dr David Stephens from Agrometeorology Australia to produce these maps for Kondinin Group members for the 2020 cropping season.

Yield prediction as at 21 July, 2020

With below average rainfall over much of Australia over the last month, crop yield rankings fell for most shires. Exceptions include central and mid-northern regions of New South Wales and a few shires in Western Australia including Esperance and Mullewa. 

After a phenomenal start, parts of central and southern New South Wales are set up for a bumper crop, even with an average finish.

Overall, about half of all shires nationally are now expecting below median yields if an average finish to the season occurs. 

Export oriented regions have been more affected by dry weather. This is a rather unexpected result with almost all forecasting systems predicting above average rainfall as crops were being planted. 

A dry end to July across Australia should see rankings drop a little more, except in northern New South Wales which keeps jagging useful rainfall events.

Farming Ahead will continue to publish these maps in print and online each month until November this year thanks to John Deere