Wheat is the most important cereal grain in world commerce. The framework for all winter crop production in Victoria is based on the principles and practice of successful wheat farming.
Distribution of production
The area sown to wheat in Victoria has been increasing over the last 10 years.
At the last census, 2005, it was estimated that 1.3 million hectares were sown to wheat but DPI estimates for 2008 indicate that 1.6 million hectares was sown in that year.
North west Victoria is the centre of wheat production in this State. The Mallee and Wimmera regions together account for about 75 per cent of total production.
Average production estimates have been compromised by well below average rainfall conditions in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Wheat quality
A key profitability issue for the industry is ensuring that research continues to deliver improvements in wheat quality in order to increase market share in a competitive world arena. From the farmers viewpoint, continuous yield improvement is also important.
Wheat quality encompasses the suitability of particular varieties grown in certain environments for particular end uses. Standards for harvest segregations for quality are maintained by Grain Trade Australia and are based on consumer demand.
All wheat varieties in Australia have a classification based on processing and end product quality which along with a range of physical standards contributes to a marketing standard or segregation.
Segregations which account for the majority of the Victorian harvest are
Wheat sown between the rows of stubble from a previous cereal crop.
- Australian Hard 1 (minimum protein 13.0%),
- Hard 2 (minimum protein 11.5%),
- Australian Premium White (minimum protein 10.5%)
- Australian Standard White (No minimum protein).
Special categories of segregations are Australian Noodle, Australian Soft 1 and Australian Feed. Varieties not meeting the specifications of these segregations will be received as Australian General Purpose.
The high protein wheats sought by domestic millers for traditional bread products generally come from the Mallee.
Deliveries which meet the receival specification are segregated as Vic Hard. Elsewhere, generally longer growing seasons give higher yields but also greater variability in wheat quality. Most of this wheat is segregated either as APW or ASW.
Feed wheats by definition are not suitable for milling, but often have the potential for high yields when compared to milling varieties.
Feed wheats are most suitable for the 600-800mm rainfall or irrigation areas. In order to realise potential yields of 5-10 tonnes/ha, these varieties must be sown early (mid-late April) in paddocks where moisture and nutrition are not limiting and the potential for waterlogging is mitigated. Other agronomic requirements are similar to those of the milling varieties.
