FAVOURABLE winter rainfall across most of South Australia’s cropping regions has lifted the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) estimate for the 2025-26 winter crop to 8.49 million tonnes (Mt). The figure has come in PIRSA’s latest Crop and Pasture Report – Winter Crop Performance, and shows a lift from 7.59Mt estimated in the previous report released in July. With crop development two to three weeks behind schedule, spring rainfall will be critical to supporting yield potential. In contrast, the Southern Murray-Mallee, Lower North, Mid North, Upper North and Lower Murray are showing gradual recovery. “With very little subsoil moisture across many cropping regions, achieving an average crop this year will ultimately depend on spring rainfall and avoiding spells of extreme heat,” Mr Perry said.