Australian farmers are set to produce a near record 42.3 million tonnes of winter crops, the latest ABARES report says.
That's a seven per cent increase on 2015-16 production and the highest since 2011-12 when the national farm yield was 45.67 million tonnes.
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences attributes that to above average autumn rain in Western Australia, although rain was more variable in eastern states - lower than average in April but above average in May.
Winter rain was expected to be above average in most cropping areas.
For major crops, wheat production was forecast to rise by five per cent to 25.4 million tonnes and barley production was also to increase by five per cent to nine million tonnes.
Canola production was forecast to rise by 10 per cent to 3.2 million tonnes and oats to increase rise by 19 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes.
Total area planted with winter crops was forecast to increase by around one per cent to 22.3 million hectares.
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