Crop and pasture reports

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) publishes regular reports on the condition of crops and pastures in South Australia. The report provides the estimates of the area and the production for each crop and district during the cropping season.

Crop estimates are based on information provided to PIRSA and are updated throughout the season as conditions change and further information becomes available. They provide an indication of crop potential at the time the report is prepared.

Latest report

South Australian Crop and Pasture Report: 2023–24 Post-Harvest Summary (PDF 1.1 MB)

Summary

• Good early season rainfall combined with stored soil moisture and warmer than average temperatures accelerated the development of early sown crops in 2023.
• Despite the favourable start to the season, below average late winter and spring rainfall in all grain producing areas of the state limited crop yield potential in a number of regions.
• Significant frost events in September and October impacted grain production in some areas.
• Many producers experienced their earliest ever commencement and completion of harvest due to the dry finish to the season, however late season rainfall from summer storms impacted grain quality and harvest logistics in later maturing regions.
• Despite the dry finish, the absence of extreme heat events during spring, together with carryover subsoil moisture from the 2022 season enabled average to slightly above cereal grain yields in most districts.
• Canola yields were average to slightly above, but with lower oil contents reported in early finishing crops. Lentil yields were variable due to the dry finish. Hay crops achieved good yields and exceptional quality.
• In general, grain quality was very good with the majority of wheat meeting AH and APW quality standards, however wheat crops harvested after the rain experienced downgrading to feed grades. Strong prices for feed quality grain reduced the financial impact from quality downgrades.
• Despite achieving reasonable incomes, farm profitability has been constrained by high input costs coupled with increased overhead costs in 2023.
• Pasture growth in southern regions was limited by the warm and dry finish to the season. Pasture growth in all regions was boosted with summer rainfall, however little to no rainfall during February and heatwave conditions in March has resulted in reduced pasture availability and increased reliance on supplementary feeding of livestock to maintain condition.
• Final crop production is estimated at 8.7 million tonnes, which is slightly above the 2021–22 season. Grain prices remained strong, resulting in an estimated farmgate value of $3.3 billion.

Crop and pasture report dashboard

The PIRSA crop and pasture report dashboard displays crop area and production data. It provides a simple source of crop statistical information.

South Australian crop area, production and yield are searchable by:

• reporting district
• crop type
• season.

The data dates from the 1999–2000 season, up to and including the current season.

Crop reporting districts map

Crop estimates for a season are based on the districts defined in the following map.