AN estimated 8.8 million tonne harvest is expected this year after strong finishing rains - the fourth biggest on record in South Australia - according to the latest PIRSA Crop & Pasture Report.
Following years of drought, the report released today, outlining the Spring Crop Performance for 2020-21, also shows the four million hectares sown is the largest since 2013-14.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said it was pleasing to see graingrowers in many districts reaping the rewards after many tough years.
"This year's grain harvest offers hope to our farmers following years of drought with the latest Crop & Pasture Report estimating 8.8mt valued at $2.4 billion at the farmgate," he said.
"The production estimate is well above the 10-year average of 7.9mt.
"Many of our state's primary producers have been and are still doing it tough, but it is positive to see such a large harvest in SA.
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"Many farmers switched from barley crops late to wheat and other crops as farmers responded to China's tariff announcements for Australian barley imports.
"Farmers began cutting hay in mid-September and those with small areas were able to get it baled with minimal weather damage, however a number of hay producers suffered significant weather damage.
"Now we have a La Nina in the Pacific Ocean according to the Bureau of Meteorology, which means increased probability of more rainfall for our state."
The report found that harvest in all regions, except Lower Eyre Peninsula, is tipped to improve from 2019-20 and for most of the Murray Mallee, is expected to have a bigger harvest than 2016-17's bumper crop.
"Our grain industry generated $3.8b in revenue in 2018-19 and is an important export industry for the state, with our grain sent to many overseas markets including India, Indonesia and Bangladesh," Mr Basham said.
"Excitingly for our local graingrowers, they will now have access to GM technology in time for the 2021 growing season with the lifting of the GM moratorium."
PREVIOUS SA RECORD HARVESTS:
2016-17 - 3,894,000ha, 11,145,000t, av yield 2.86t/ha
2010-11 - 4,023,000ha, 10,341,000t, av 2.57t/ha
2001-02 - 3,755,000ha, 9,361,000t, av 2.49t/ha
2020-21 (to-date) - 4,013,000ha, 8,840,000t, av 2.20t/ha
- Details: To access the latest Crop & Pasture Report visit pir.sa.gov.au/cropreport