In the Cootamundra, Wallendbeen and Stockinbingal regions, farmers are expecting good yields of between two and three tonnes, up on the one tonne yields many farmers harvested last year.

Cootamundra Department of Primary Industries district agronomist Phil Bowden said oil quality is also expected to be very good this year.

Mr Bowden said anything more than 42 per cent quality commands a premium price when sold and prices drop as oil quality decreases.

Despite receiving less than 80 per cent of the region’s average rainfall this year, Mr Bowden said rain fell at critical times, helping crops progress

The season began well with most crops across the region planted in April amid positive conditions.

It is not only farmers breathing a sigh of relief at the prospect of a bumper crop, Cootamundra Oilseeds Managing Director Geoff Black said this will be the first year in almost a decade where the local crushing plant will be able to source all seed locally.

“We are not expecting any supply

problems at all,” Mr Black said.

“We haven’t seen a brilliant season this century, but early reports are that it will be a good year.”.

Already the plant has had one early delivery of canola from a regular early client in Ariah Park and Mr Black is confident this month and next will see strong deliveries as farmers begin to harvest.

While the season is not over, Mr Black and Mr Bowden concur that the danger period has passed.

“It is looking far more secure than it has for many years,” Mr Black said.

While Cootamundra, Wallendbeen and Stockinbingal farmers have fared well, Mr Bowden said you do not have to look far to see crops which did not make it, with

farmers as close as Illabo and Junee being forced to bale crops