Crop and pasture reports

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) publishes regular reports on the condition of crops and pastures in South Australia. The report provides the estimates of the area and the production for each crop and district during the cropping season.

Crop estimates are based on information provided to PIRSA and are updated throughout the season as conditions change and further information becomes available. They provide an indication of crop potential at the time the report is prepared.

Latest report

South Australian Crop and Pasture Report: 2023–24 Crop Performance Summary (PDF 1.3 MB)

Summary

  • Dry and warm conditions during November across South Australia enabled early commencement of harvest in many districts. With favorable harvesting conditions, growers in earlier districts completed their harvest by early December. Grain quality from crops harvested during this period was excellent.
  • December saw rainfall events which delayed harvest of later crops and downgraded grain quality. Gaugings were significant with most cropping districts experiencing decile 8–10 rainfall totals over this period. Minor crop yield losses occurred during this period due to extended harvest delays and lodging, however the main impacts were on grain quality with much of the later harvested crop achieving feed grades. By January, most of the harvest was completed, however, there are crops still being harvested in the South East, Kangaroo Island, Fleurieu and Lower Yorke Peninsula due to weather delays.
  • Despite the quality downgrades, feed grain prices remain strong, which has reduced the financial impact on affected growers. Yields are generally meeting and, in some cases, slightly exceeding producer expectations with growers reporting mostly average to slightly above average grain yields. The exception is localised frost affected areas of the Upper Eyre Peninsula and Mid/Upper North, and poorer quality soils of the northern Mallee.
  • Late October frost events had a significant impact in some later maturing paddocks in parts of the Upper North, Mid North, Murray Plains and Upper South East regions, however many producers were unaffected. In most cases the very dry conditions during late winter and early spring were considered to have more impact on grain yields than frost.
  • December rainfall bolstered pasture feed supplies with germination of annual pasture species, volunteer cereals and summer weeds. Livestock condition is good.
  • Subsoil moisture is at historically high levels due to summer rainfall events and is predicted to be in the 90th percentile in some districts. This has potential to provide valuable soil water for 2024 crops with appropriate fallow management.
  • Crop production is estimated at 9.3 million tonnes, which is similar to the 2020–21 season. Grain prices are strong, resulting in an estimated farmgate value of $3.6 billion.

Crop and pasture report dashboard

The PIRSA crop and pasture report dashboard displays crop area and production data. It provides a simple source of crop statistical information.

South Australian crop area, production and yield are searchable by:

  • reporting district
  • crop type
  • season.

The data dates from the 1999–2000 season, up to and including the current season.

Crop reporting districts map

Crop estimates for a season are based on the districts defined in the following map.

Older season reports

2023–24

Crop and Pasture Reports:

2022–23

Crop and Pasture Reports:

2021–22

Crop and pasture reports:

Crop and pasture summaries:

2020–21

Crop and pasture reports:

Crop and pasture summaries:

2021 South Australian Sowing Guide (PDF 13.6 MB)

2019–20

Crop and pasture reports:

Crop and pasture summaries:

Page last reviewed: 15 Jun 2017

 


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