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South Australia’s 2024-25 Winter Crop Estimate Declines to Record Lows
The winter crop yield in South Australia for the 2024-25 season was notably short, light, and quickly harvested, marking the state’s smallest winter crop since 2008-09. Photo: Corbin Schuster
Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) has revised its estimate for the 2024-25 winter crop down to 5.2 million tonnes (Mt), signifying the smallest harvest recorded since the 2008-09 season, which yielded 4.9 Mt. This adjustment reflects a decrease from the earlier projection of 5.9 Mt made on September 20, based on prevailing conditions at that time.
The latest figures, outlined in the 2024-25 Crop Performance Summary published on January 15, reveal that the current estimate is approximately 43 percent below the five-year average. This decline is attributed to significantly below-average rainfall across all cropping regions in South Australia.
“Although localized rainfall events occurred in December, overall regional totals for that month were generally near or below average,” the report states. “Moreover, crop performance suffered in many areas, as yield potential was constrained by late crop emergence, a drier-than-normal winter, and the premature onset of spring conditions.”
Compounding these challenges were severe frost events in September, which further diminished yields. Many affected crops were salvaged as hay, a strategic response to mitigate losses. Additionally, in marginal cropping areas, extensive crop failures led to land being utilized for grazing rather than for grain harvest, thus further decreasing overall grain production.
Despite these setbacks, reports from harvested crops indicate that yields were significantly below average; however, widespread rainfall in October helped stabilize yield potential in later districts. This rainfall improved grain and pod fill and delayed grain maturation, which was beneficial for crop outcomes. Furthermore, the absence of extreme heat or damaging wind events during the ripening and harvesting phases contributed positively to yield sustainability.
The total area dedicated to cropping is estimated to be lower than in the previous five years, owing to the reduced sown area in marginal cropping districts as a response to an arid seasonal onset. Additionally, the impact of frost on crops resulted in further reductions in the harvested grain area, as damaged crops were often cut for hay where sufficient biomass was available.
“Despite the formidable seasonal challenges faced across South Australia’s cropping districts, the implementation of modern farming practices that conserve moisture and enhance water use efficiency has allowed for crop yields that would not have been feasible in the past,” the report indicates.
Record Lentil Area Provides Some Resilience
While the areas planted with wheat and barley in South Australia for the 2024-25 season were below the five-year average due to a late and inconsistent seasonal break, the lentil plantations reached a record high of 408,600 hectares. However, the challenging season resulted in an average lentil yield of just 1.1 tonnes per hectare, which falls short of the five-year average yield of 1.83 tonnes per hectare.
The total lentil crop for the 2024-25 season is projected to be 451,555 tonnes, marking an increase from the five-year average of 359,000 tonnes from 196,000 hectares but still below the record production of 527,250 tonnes harvested in 2022-23 from 191,600 hectares. In terms of faba beans, the area planted in 2024-25 was reported at 105,400 hectares, slightly higher than the five-year average of 117,540 hectares, but the production was reported at 117,540 tonnes, approximately half of the five-year average of 230,600 tonnes.
Table 1: Crop estimates compared to the five-year average. Source: PIRSA
Effects on Pasture Conditions
The report highlights a decline in pasture hay quantities cut in the Fleurieu and South East regions, attributed to low biomass production. This situation is likely to lead to a greater dependence on cereal hay supplies for supplementary feeding of livestock. Dry conditions persist across South Australia, exacerbating poor pasture cover further due to inadequate summer rainfall.
“Crop stubbles this summer have limited grazing value due to reduced quantities of dry matter produced,” the report notes. “Supplementary feeding and destocking measures continue for many livestock producers due to the scarcity of paddock feed, with livestock condition currently remaining below average.”
Source: PIRSA
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