Seeding is well under way at most farms across South Australia, despite the dry conditions, with total grain production for the 2024-25 season predicted to be close to the 10-year average of 8.5 million tonnes.


The Crop and Pasture Report – Seeding Intentions, produced by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), predicted the unusually dry conditions throughout May with a chance of above average rainfall for some areas during winter.


The largest shift in seeding intention is the 38% increase in lentil production across the state, with noticeable reductions in the planned sowing of chickpeas, field peas and lupins.


There continues to be a gradual reduction in barley area with a corresponding increase in wheat area.


The area sown to hay is expected to remain relatively constant.


The preliminary estimation of the total cropped area is higher than the 2023/24 season due to the anticipated reduction in pasture area for sheep production.


However, an absence of rain in early June may result in a substantial reduction in the planted area of some crops, particularly canola.


Stored soil moisture at the end of summer was variable across the state, as some regions received significantly more rainfall than others between November and January.


Summer weed control has been important to conserve soil moisture to benefit crops in the season ahead.


Winter rainfall will be critically important to enable crops to germinate and establish.


Autumn pasture growth has been poor, with pasture cover below average and significant supplementary feeding taking place.


Livestock condition is also below average due to the limited availability of paddock feed.


The PIRSA initiated Family and Business (FaB) mentor service is available to help primary producers and regionally based agricultural business owners through a confidential triage service that connects them to specific services and assistance during difficult situations.


For more information visit pir.sa.gov.au/fabs


Department of Primary Industries and Regions Industry Partnerships and Intelligence general manager Matthew Palmer said a dry autumn was not a great start to the cropping season.


“It is hoped that improved forecast rainfall in June and throughout the rest of the season can still support an average season across the state,” he said.


Grains Producers SA chief executive Brad Perry said the current Crop and Pasture Report estimates may be understated or overstated depending on when South Australian grain producers get a soaking rain to get germination going.


“A recent GPSA survey showed more than 60% of grain producers sowed in April or earlier and there’s no doubt that for many growers, original plans on what to sow may have changed due to the dry start, particularly for canola,” he said.


“Grain producers remain hopeful of a saturating rain in the coming weeks to really kick the season off and we are still anticipating strong returns if that occurs.”