Grain production reaches near average levels despite challenging season

South Australia’s estimated grain production for the 2025/26 season has come in at 8.9 million tonnes, close to the five-year average, despite the challenges many producers faced from drought conditions.

Findings from the latest Crop and Pasture Report, published by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), show crop performance was boosted by a cooler-than-forecasted Spring and some late-season rainfall.

November rainfall wreaked havoc for some producers, causing frustrating delays to harvest, which began several weeks later than usual. Late rain also caused summer weeds to sprout prompting many growers to undertake crop desiccation to enable harvest. Early summer weed spraying has been a major focus for many growers as a result.

Grain quality was mixed across crops − some wheat was affected by pinched grain following a dry finish. Canola performed relatively well thanks to the late-season rainfall, lentil yields were variable, and beans underperformed compared to other crops.

The report also notes that many growers cut cereal crops for hay due to uncertainty over grain yields caused by dry spring conditions and a strong outlook for hay prices. Summer pasture and stubble cover are significantly better compared to 2024, boosting feed availability and reducing erosion risk, whilst disease levels remained low throughout the 2025 growing season.

See the full 2025–26 January Crop Performance report.