AUSTRALIA'S Government rural forecaster has wiped 1.6 million tonnes off the national wheat crop.

In its latest crop report released today, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics has cut national wheat production forecast from 24.1 million tonnes in June to this month's level of 22.5 million tonnes.

The barley crop has been reduced from the 7.3 million tonne estimate in June to 6.96 million tonnes this month.

Canola production has been forecast at 2.76 million tonnes, 170,000 less tonnes than the June forecast but still higher than ABARES' estimate of last harvest's record crop of 2.82 million tonnes.

The lower crop production estimates are largely due to dry conditions in Western Australia.

Winter crop production in WA has fallen from the 13.2 million tonnes forecast in June to 10.9 million tonnes in the latest estimate.

Victorian and South Australian winter crop production forecasts have also fallen, while ABARES is expecting better harvests in NSW and Queensland.

"In Western Australia, conditions for crop planting and establishment were generally poor and winter rainfall was below average, which hindered crop development and reduced prospective yields to below average,'' ABARES said in its report.

"Sufficient and timely rainfall will be required over the spring to achieve currently forecast yields.''

ABARES said crops in most regions of Victoria, SA and southern NSW were in reasonable condition ahead of the critical spring period.

The bureau has estimated Victorian winter crop production at 5.37 million tonnes, lower than the 5.73 million tonnes forecast in June.

The NSW winter crop forecast has risen by 250,000 tonnes to 10.83 million tonnes.

The SA winter crop, at 6.77 million tonnes, is 108,000 tonnes less than ABARES' June forecast.

Victorian wheat production is expected to be 2.67 million tonnes, about 190,000 tonnes less than the June forecast.

Barley production in the state has fallen by 70,000 tonnes to 1.58 million tonnes, while the canola crop is expected to be 15,000 tonnes lower at 480,000 tonnes.

Pulse crops remain the bright light, with production of lentils, field peas, chick peas and faba beans all higher than the June estimate.

Overall, national winter crop production is 2.2 million tonnes lower at 36.2 million tonnes, making it Australia's seventh largest crop if yields hold up to harvest.