Late winter rain aids crop

Well-timed rain in July and August has increased the chances of the 2022 crop reaching 20 million tonnes, according to the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia.

The association’s August crop report said previously dry areas of the state were now on track for average grain yields after the wet weather.

The only downside to the recent rain is that crops to the south, that were growing well, have now received a bit too much rain and some areas are waterlogged.

Overall, it said grain crops were further advanced in growth stage than normal due to a warm winter.

It said this was positive as a greater percentage of the crop would be filling grain prior to the heat in spring, reducing the chance of heat shock.

However, it also meant the crop would have greater risk of frost.

The total crop does not have the bulk of the record-breaking 24mt harvest in 2021, due to the dry start in June and early July.

However, GIWA said at least 20mt could be expected.

It estimated the harvest would yield 10.3mt of wheat, 5.1mt of barley and 3.2mt of canola.

This compares to the 2021 harvest which produced 12.9mt of wheat, 6.4mt of barley and 3.2mt of canola.