Harvest still on track for most lucrative

The spring edition of the report indicates 2021 SA grain production is estimated to be 7.72 million tonnes from the 3.898m hectares sown, valued at $3 billion.

The figure is almost identical to the 10-year average of 7.75mt.

Primary Industries Minister David Basham said despite an average crop estimate, high global wheat and barley prices in particular, have resulted in an increase to the projected crop value.

"We are seeing some of the highest price returns in Australia for canola, both GM and non-GM, wheat and barley, right here in SA and this is just reward for the hard work farmers have put in this year," he said.

"Cool conditions and regular rain delays during October and November slowed early harvest progress, but we are now in full swing and about halfway complete across the state."

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Mr Basham said the report highlighted that despite the mixed weather conditions this year, with late opening rains followed by a wet mid-winter, a dry late winter and stormy wet October finish, indications were that crops had grown well, mostly due to deep soil moisture stored from June and July rains.

"While winter frost and the spring storm events on October 28 and November 6 have caused some grain losses, the report has surprisingly found that rain associated with the storm systems increased the yield prospect of undamaged ripening crops," he said.

"While the Bureau of Meteorology has now declared La Nia for summer 2021-22, it is unlikely to have significant influence on South Australia's rainfall with the current seasonal outlook for December to February showing the most likely outcome is average rainfall for most of the state.

"Grain and hay reserves have now been replenished thanks to the spring hay cut and with harvest."

Last year, 4m hectares were sown, with 9.135mt harvested, raking in $2.5b in farmgate value.