GOOD spring rains are needed to ensure crops meet full potential this season, grain growers say.
Well-below-average rainfall across many parts of South Australia in early winter, continuing the long dry period since February, means yields are now highly dependent on how much more rain falls by October.
Grains Producers SA chief executive Brad Perry said crops were growing in most regions of the state despite the dry start.
“Currently the season is about six weeks behind in most cropping regions and completely reliant on strong rainfall at the end of the year to get an average finish,” Mr Perry said.
“At this stage confidence remains neutral for an average harvest but it all comes down to rainfall in the coming months.”
The latest State Government Primary Industries and Regions Department (PIRSA) crop report predicts total grain production to be about 12 per cent down on the previous season.
Total grain production was predicted to be close to the 10-year average of 8.5 million tonnes earlier in the season, but below-average rainfall during May and June has caused that figure to be revised down.
The total estimated grain production for the 2024-25 season is now 7.7 million tonnes, slightly below the five-year average.
PIRSA industry partnerships and intelligence general manager Matthew Palmer said conditions may still pick up.
“It has been a challenging start to the season with exceptionally dry conditions across most of the state from February to June, which has resulted in a smaller crop area being sown this year,” Mr Palmer said.
“Hopefully improved conditions throughout the rest of the season will see a close to average harvest.”
Seeding was completed in all regions, he said, but the absence of rain has resulted in delays and uneven emergence of crops.
For example, limits to yield potential for lentils has the estimated production value similar to last season, despite a 60 per cent increase in area sown.
And wheat area has reduced by six per cent from last season, driven by both cropped-area reduction and adjustments to crop mix.
There is a relatively neutral rain forecast for August to October, which has created more uncertainty for growers.
With crops later than normal, the risk of heat shocks during flowering and grain fill is also significantly higher.
