AS the 2014 seeding period draws to a close, grower confidence is high in most regions according to the Grains Industry Association of WA (GIWA).
In its latest crop report, GIWA said a strong early seasonal break has enabled excellent crop establishment, providing the basis for above average yield potential.
Total planted area in WA is estimated to exceed 2013 figures by almost two per cent, on the back of healthy commodity prices and a near perfect break to the season.
According to the report, while wheat area is estimated to rise 3pc, canola by 6pc and lupins by 14pc, barley plantings were estimated to be down by 6.5pc.
Seeding was largely finished in the Geraldton, Kwinana and Esperance zones by the end of May and is nearing completion in the Albany zone.
A good seasonal break presented growers in the north eastern Geraldton zone with an opportunity to sow planned fallow paddocks into wheat, while in the eastern Kwinana zone it was estimated an additional 100,000ha was sown into wheat and some canola.
A recent run of below average seasons had led to a significant drop in cropped area in the Mt Marshall and Yilgarn shires, but 2014 had seen a return to a more typical situation.
The good early break provided sufficient rain to germinate dry sown crops and enable seeding programs to begin across the grainbelt.
The Geraldton and Kwinana zones received good rainfall in mid-April and early May, while the far eastern Wheatbelt received falls of 50-80mm.
These rain events didn't reach the Southern and Esperance regions which received falls of only 6-10mm in early May, while rain in mid to late May of up to 150mm delivered outstanding soil moisture to all districts west of Lake King to Ravensthorpe.
The wider Esperance region has received only 40mm of rain in the year to date, a contrast to the drenching it received last year.
GIWA said the consensus was that only average rainfall is needed to achieve above average yields in the Kwinana and Albany port zones, but a wet July or August would be needed in the Esperance and Northern Geraldton regions.
Unfortunately weather forecasts for June rainfall are bearish and above average temperatures are expected to continue.
Merredin Rural Supplies agronomist David Keamy said seeding was all but wrapped up in the area with almost 80pc of crops already up.
"South of the highway is looking sweet, but north is looking pretty dry," Mr Keamy said.
"We have a chance of rain on Tuesday and another chance the week after, so its looking positive.
"Of the crops that are up, 10-15pc are really up and away, a mile in front of a reasonable year.
"That was probably sown dry and then got the rain on it so it's up, tillered and looking really good.
"For this time of year that is just fantastic."
Mr Keamy said the lack of moisture was a concern in some places especially for chemical use.
"It's a bit dry on top, we need it to get wet," he said.
"But it is all still growing so that has to be a good sign."
Landmark Esperance agronomist Sam Repacholi said seeding was almost finished in the Esperance region and the majority of crop was out of the ground.
"There is a bit still happening out east on the coastal strip where things were quite dry, or at least as dry as they have been in the past few years," Ms Repacholi said.
"We have definitely had a drier start to the season than the rest of the State and it has been the whole Esperance region."
Ms Repacholi said germination had been excellent given the limited moisture.
"Around Salmon Gums is probably the driest now so that has a way to go," she said.
"But from a germination point of view they have probably had the best strike they have ever had in canola, it came up really evenly so there was enough moisture there to get an early strike on the early sown canola.
"It has been pretty good, but now it has gotten cold, growth rates will slow so we really need some follow up rain to keep things ticking along.
"We'd be wanting average to above average rainfall for the rest of winter."
Ms Repacholi said rainfall received in the region in the past week had boosted farmer confidence.
"But there is still some doubt around Salmon Gums and North Grass Patch area with the rainfall thus far," she said.
Planfarm consultant Richard Quinlan said seeding was finished for everyone in the Geraldton region, with the exception of those few growers that were still mouldboard ploughing or spading.
"Ninety-five per cent is up and is looking pretty good," Mr Quinlan said.
"There are some paddocks right in the north eastern quadrant that need a bit of rain on top of it to get all of the paddock up.
"But most is up and looking good to extremely good."
Mr Quinlan said some crops in the north eastern region were starting to show signs of stress.
"But the crops that are closer to the coast ended up with between 5-10mm or more, and are all looking awesome," he said.
Mr Quinlan said it was difficult to be confident after the past season, where northern growers had one of the best starts ever seen followed by one the of worst Junes on record.
"We are in what are our rainfall months of June and July, where they set up the crop for a finish at the end of the year," he said.
"Everything has gotten off to an extremely good start and we just need those rainfall months to come through so we can set some yield potential on that good start.
"The crops are clean and everything is looking as well set up as you could possibly get it.
"Now we just need that rain to add to that yield potential."
