Positive grain forecast despite global pressures

Grain production across the state is on track to exceed last year’s harvest, as industry looks to take advantage of decent early rainfall and substantially improved seeding conditions.

The latest Crop and Pasture Report, published by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), has forecast an encouraging start to the 2026-27 season, with favourable weather and soil conditions appearing to offset concerns about the impact of international conflicts on the cost and supply of fuel and fertiliser.

Grain production is tracking towards 9 million tonnes and yield potential looks likely to approach the 10-year average, with preliminary estimates pointing to a higher total cropped area than last season as improved stored soil moisture enables increased planting.

Good rainfall and favourable conditions have supported good paddock access and helped growers move well through their cropping programs, allowing seeding to steadily progress across most regions.

Early May rainfall supported strong planting programs and provided better conditions for pre-emergent herbicide activities. Further rains will be necessary to maintain persistent pastures, and supplementary feeding will continue to be important for farmers in some areas to better manage their recovery from previous dry conditions.

Lentils have firmly established as South Australia’s third largest crop by area, behind wheat and barley, and are expected to increase by a further 12 per cent compared to 2025-26. Interest in canola is steady where moisture has allowed timely sowing.

Livestock has benefited from better pasture growth and feed availability following recent rainfall, fuelling a return to near-average feed on offer for many areas. Improved livestock conditions are offering welcome additional relief for many farmers still recovering from drought.

Throughout the drought period, the Malinauskas Government invested $117 million into drought support and established the most significant state-funded financial assistance scheme for drought-affected farmers in South Australia’s history.

The SA Drought Loans Scheme continues to be open for applications from eligible farmers in heavily drought-impacted areas, offering low-interest loans of up to $250,000 each to aid their recovery.

Cropping programs have remained largely unchanged despite some ongoing seasonal and operational challenges, including weather outlooks, pest activity, and cost and supply uncertainties surrounding fuel and fertiliser.

While favourable soil and weather conditions have helped primary industries recover some of the confidence impacted by international conflict, the Malinauskas Labor Government has worked hard to shore up certainty for our farmers.

A strategic reserve of up to 20 million litres of diesel was announced last month, after the Malinauskas Government reached a commercial agreement with supplier IOR to utilise storage in the Upper Spencer Gulf for the purpose of boosting South Australia’s fuel security and supporting the state’s primary production sector.

Meanwhile, the Federal Labor Government has in recent weeks secured additional shipments of agricultural-grade urea fertiliser for primary producers right across Australia, after supporting Incitec Pivot to lock down a major supply deal with Indonesian producer PT Pupuk.

The PIRSA Crop and Pasture Report provides industry and the Malinauskas Government with key intelligence on regional grain and pasture performance across 14 districts in South Australia.

The report includes a statewide summary of crop conditions, paddock activities, seasonal weather impacts, livestock condition, pasture performance and feed availability.

To read the full 2026-26 Crop and Pasture Report, visit crop and pasture reports.