Australia Yearbook - 2009-10

16.19 OATS PRODUCTION AND AREA BY STATE—2007-08
'000
Production - tonnes
900
Area - hectares
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
NSW Vic. Qld SA WA
Source: Agricultural Commodities, Australia, (7121.0).
'000
3000
2500
16.20 BARLEY PRODUCTION AND AREA BY STATE—2007-08
Production - tonnes
Area - hectares
2000
1500
1000
500
0
NSW Vic. Qld SA WA
Source: Agricultural Commodities, Australia, (7121.0).
followed by Victoria (335,000 tonnes) (table 16.16
and graph 16.19).
Barley
This cereal contains two main groups of varieties,
2-row and 6-row (the number of rows referring to
the number of rows of seed on each stalk). The
former is generally, but not exclusively, preferred
for malting purposes. Barley is grown principally
as a grain crop, although in some areas it is used
as a fodder crop for grazing, with grain being
subsequently harvested if conditions are suitable.
It is often grown as a rotation crop with wheat,
oats and pasture. As barley has a short growing
period, it may provide quick grazing or timely
fodder supplies when other sources are not
available. Barley grain may be crushed to meal for
stock feed or sold for malting.
In 2007–08, 7.2 mill. tonnes of barley were
harvested from 4.9 mill. ha (table 16.16 and graph
16.20). The largest areas planted were in Western
Australia (1.4 mill. ha), South Australia (1.2 mill.
ha), and Victoria (1.1 mill. ha). Production was
highest in Western Australia with 2.7 mill. tonnes,
followed by Victoria and South Australia, 1.8 mill.
tonnes and 1.7 mill. tonnes of barley respectively.
Grain sorghum
The sorghums are summer growing crops which
are used in a number of ways: grain sorghum for
grain; sweet or fodder sorghum, Sudan grass and
Columbus grass for silage, green feed and
grazing; and broom millet for brooms and
brushware. However, the grain is used primarily
as stock feed and is an important source for
496 Year Book Australia 2009–10