Farmers in the Lower South East achieved wheat yields of up to 11 tonnes-per-hectare in the 2021/22 harvest.

Headers are finishing up in the paddocks of this region according to the latest crop and pasture report issued by the State Government’s Primary Industries and Resources SA.

The researchers, agronomists and scientists have made the following observations.

Dry conditions in late spring and early summer enabled harvest to be completed by early January in the northern part of the lower South East region.

Harvest continues in the remainder of the region and is unlikely to be completed until the end of February.

Some wheat crops in the northern part of the region were severely affected by frost, and yields varied from 0.5 to 6t/ha depending on time of flowering and soil type.

Most crops sown in early June were severely damaged by frost.

Frost did not damage crops in the southern part of the lower South East region and wheat yields ranged from 8 to 11t/ha.

Barley crops were not affected by frosts and yielded well above average with most yielding close to 7t/ha.

Bean crop yields were diminished by dry spring conditions, however most still yielded 3.5 to 4 t/ha.

Canola crops yielded 3.5 to 4t/ha in the northern part of the region region and 4 to 5t/ha in the south and were of above average oil content.

Continued dry conditions from November through to early January reduced the quality and quantity of pastures across the region.

Some producers sowed brassica and millet summer feed mixes, but these did not reach their full feed potential due to the conditions.

Dry conditions-maintained feed quality of crop stubbles, however they are being heavily grazed.

Many producers have been forced to keep stock longer than planned due to reduced processing capacity of abattoirs.

Producers have high amounts of cereal hay stored on-farm.

Pastures have been damaged by high numbers of common army worm and barley grub in some areas and control has been required.