Arabic version: بدء حصاد جنوب أستراليا مع توقعات قوية للحبوب

According to ABC News, South Australia’s 2026 harvest has begun with the first grain delivery received at Thevenard on the state’s west coast, while recent rain has supported crops in regions still awaiting harvest.

Jesse Chandler delivered a load of Commodus barley to the Thevenard silos on September 24. He farms at Charra with his brother Harlee and parents, Milton and Tracey. Milton Chandler said it was the family’s earliest harvest, estimating barley production at about four tonnes per hectare.

Primary Industries and Regions SA has again lifted its crop forecast. Its September crop and pasture report estimated that 4,234,000 hectares had been sown and that South Australia would harvest 11,591,000 tonnes of grain in 2026/27. The report said all regions recorded average to above-average winter rainfall, and August was the fourth wettest on record.

The wet conditions have also increased disease pressure, with rusts, powdery mildew, net blotch, black leg and sclerotinia reported in several regions. Growers face low grain prices and high input costs, and Mr Chandler said large yields could help compensate. Bunge director of industrial management Gavin Cavanagh said the company had prepared for harvest to begin two to three weeks earlier than usual.

Storms recently brought about 15 to 40 millimetres of rain across the state. Loxton grower Robin Schaefer recorded 17mm on October 2 and said most of his crop would benefit, although some early barley was already close to harvest. He said early-season moisture had produced substantial lentil biomass and many pods.