SA harvest yields above average, despite issues

Total SA production is estimated to reach 8.32 million tonnes from 3.9m hectares sown - exceeding the 10-year average of 7.73mt

Primary Industries Minister David Basham said the report showed many crops yielded better than expected, with the exception of the Mallee region.

"As global grain prices remain high, the estimated farmgate value remains at a record high $3.2b, which is fantastic news for growers, the state's economy and most importantly local jobs," he said.

GM canola also performed well in its first year of production in SA, Mr Basham said.

GM canola made up about 10 per cent of the total canola tonnages in SA.

"The weather did cause some pockets of severe damage," he said.

"The dry late winter and spring period combined with mid-spring frosts and storms caused some grain losses in several districts, but thankfully, the overall impact on crop production was minimal."

Mr Basham said the Far West and northern parts of western Eyre Peninsula and parts of the Upper and Mid North 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," he said.

"Livestock are generally in good or excellent condition across the state, and farmers have been taking advantage of high prices to reduce their stock numbers and reduce grazing pressure. Most districts have plenty of supplies of hay and grain for livestock feed.

"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 graingrowers likewise will have soil profiles full of moisture for the new season crop."

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THE record-breaking 2021-22 Australian winter crop may be even larger than previously thought, according to one leading private grains analyst.

IKON Commodities updated its 2021-22 production estimates and came out with figures substantially higher than those issued by official forecaster ABARES (58.4mt).

ABARES' most recent update in November predicted a national wheat crop of 34.4mt, while IKON's wheat estimate sits 13 per cent higher at 39.04mt. IKON chief executive Ole Houe said there was a key area where IKON and ABARES estimates differed.

"We have done a lot of work studying data and talking to growers in NSW and although there were issues, there were not that many. That said, in terms of tonnes produced, they were far below last year," he said.

The NSW wheat harvest receival figures were down 6.34pc on last year's record, in the latest IKON numbers - a markedly lower reduction than other agencies.

"There were quality issues, but there was still a lot of grain produced," Mr Houe said.

Much has been made of WA's record breaking year, but Qld recorded the biggest year-on-year increase in wheat receivals in percentage terms - up 45.6pc to 1.75mt - while WA was up 32.4pc to 21mt.