16
Figure 6: Yield of Canola as a Percentage of Wheat, NSW, 1984 to 2003
Yield of Canola Relative to Wheat:
There has been a tendency for an overall downward trend in the yields of the main pulse crops
relative to canola yields during the 1990s, but that trend has increased in more recent years. It
is unclear whether this change in trend reflects a recent decline in canola yields, or whether it
merely reflects the fact that the areas where the drought has had its most severe impact have
been in the main canola-growing areas.
4.3 Changes in Relative Yields Across States
In terms of yield relativities, NSW shows a broadly similar pattern to most other states
(Figure 7). Over the five years to 2002-03, NSW pulse yields relative to wheat averaged
markedly lower than in the South Australia, but generally marginally higher than in the other
main grain-producing states. NSW canola crops generally yielded higher, relative to wheat,
than other states, again apart from SA. These differences may at least partly reflect the
different rates of wheat yield improvement in the different states in recent decades (Brennan
and Quade 2000).
4.4 Changes in Relative Prices of Pulse and Oilseed Crops
Farmers generally have little influence on the prices that they receive for their grains. The
greatest influence affecting profit comes in crop management where choice of species and
variety, as well as the quality of grain produced, can be critical. However, it is useful to
consider price trends in assessing the alternatives from which farmers can choose.