SA records fourth largest crop on record

South Australia's 2020-21 grain crop is estimated to reach 9.3 million tonnes - the fourth largest harvest on record. 

The State Government's latest Crop and Pasture Report tips the production estimate at 9.2 million tonnes from 4 million hectares sowed; well above the long-term 10-year average of 7.9 million tonnes.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said many farmers are buoyed about growing a bumper crop after lower harvests in recent years due to drought. 

"It is a demonstration of resilience from our farmers to bounce back after a number of tough seasons," said Minister Basham. 

"The 2020-21 harvest is estimated to be the biggest ever crop for several districts, breaking production and yield records including in areas such as the southern and northern Murray Mallee, lower South East and Kangaroo Island, while Lower Murray, Lower North and Upper North all had second grain highest production on record. 

"An increase in area grown for canola, some pulse crops and to a lesser extent, wheat, has been attributed to good soil moisture reserves and a late switch away from barley crops due to market restrictions. 

"Some farmers also decided to crop additional paddocks originally intended for pasture which increased the crop area to over 4 million hectares for the first time since 2013-14."

With indications that La Nina in the Pacific Ocean has now likely peaked, the Bureau of Meteorology climate outlook is for a moderate probability of being wetter than average to April.

To read the full Crop and Pasture report, visit pir.sa.gov.au/cropreport