South Australia’s 2021-22 harvest has returned a record high $3.2 billion Farm Gate Value. Photo: Heath family, Eyre Peninsula, via Crop Smart
THE Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) Crop and Pasture Report estimates the 2021-22 harvest to have produced 8.32 million tonnes (Mt), well up on the 10-year average of 7.73Mt, from 3.9 million hectares.
The Farm Gate Value is also estimated to jump to record high of $3.2 billion.
SA Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the report revealed many crops yielded better than expected after fluctuating conditions during the growing season.
“While growing conditions fluctuated during the season, presenting many challenges, crops performed better than expected,” Mr Basham said.
“Across the board, harvest outcomes have far exceeded expectations to be above the 10-year production average with the exception of the Mallee region.
“In its first year of production in South Australia, GM canola has performed very well, with GM canola tonnage being about 10 per cent of the total canola production in SA.”
| TONNES | 5-yr average to 2020-21 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 |
| Wheat | 4,382,700 | 3,251,500 | 4,923,000 | 4,656,300 |
| Durum | 124,400 | 82,560 | 114,870 | 106,250 |
| Barley | 2,158,500 | 2,091,000 | 2,560,000 | 2,220,700 |
| Oats | 164,700 | 120,450 | 173,700 | 160,900 |
| Peas | 105,500 | 70,100 | 113,700 | 91,500 |
| Beans | 143,400 | 156,650 | 212,700 | 215,230 |
| Lentils | 290,400 | 220,400 | 345,950 | 329,180 |
| Canola | 344,500 | 347,400 | 461,800 | 417,400 |
Table 1: SA winter crops with 2021-22 production forecast to exceed 90,000t. Source: PIRSA
Rain damage impacted some districts
Mr Basham said some parts of SA did suffer severe damage due to above average rainfall.
“The dry late winter and spring period combined with mid-spring frosts and storms has caused some lost grain production in several districts, but thankfully, the overall impact on crop production was minimal,” he said.
“The Far West and northern parts of Western Eyre Peninsula and parts of the Upper and Mid North of the state had the highest November rains on record.
“Most of the state finished harvest by end of December, with some areas still harvesting in January, following delays caused by the cool, rainy weather in October and November.
“While heavy rains into late January happened outside of the reporting period, they have caused significant damage on the Eyre Peninsula and pastoral regions to farms, roads and rail.
“Despite the damage, the rains have been welcomed by pastoralists as it will mean more feed for stock and grain growers likewise will have soil profiles full of moisture for the new season crop.”
The information is current as of January 20.
For more information on the 2021-22 cropping season visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/cropreport
Source: SA Government
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