The Grain Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA) has released its initial estimate for the state’s winter crop, now up and away in virtually all areas at 16.3mt from 8.7m ha planted.

In its July crop report, author Michael Lamond said rain at the start of July has reached most grain-growing regions of WA, with falls of 15mm or more for all areas. “Rainfall deciles are low or very low for all areas of the state and it is going to need to be a good year from here on in to hit the current potential of 15-16mt of total grain for Western Australia.”

WA crop area is up from 2023 plantings, and the area of canola is down, replaced by wheat. Cereals are in better condition than the break crops (canola and lupins), which have suffered more from the late start and patchy June rainfall. Oat area has increased in traditional oat-growing regions, although there is little change elsewhere. GIWA’s estimate for the 2023-24 crop stands at 14.53mt, well down from the record years of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at 24.01mt and 26.06mt respectively.