‘Rain has changed everything’: WA farmers eye 20 million tonne crop

Widespread rain across Western Australia’s grain belt has boosted crop prospects, putting farmers on track for a huge harvest.

Rain across the major growing areas of Western Australia is likely to help farmers deliver an estimated 20 million tonne crop.

The record crop in Western Australia was 26 million achieved in the 2022-23 season.

The latest crop estimates from the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia project the state’s planted area of winter crop at 8.9 million hectares.

From that, around 4m ha of crop had emerged by early June in the Esperance, south coast, and Albany port zones. Meanwhile, an additional 300,000ha had only recently emerged.

Wheat holds the lion’s share of hectares planted, with 4.30m ha sown, and is followed by barley with 2.04m ha.

In the breakdown of crops, GIWA projected wheat tonnages at 9.40 million tonnes, barley at 5.71m tonnes and a state total of all winter crops of 19.33m tonnes.

Bureau of Meteorology figures show that during the past seven days, Merredin has received 21.4mm, Geraldton 17.6mm, Dalwallinu 16.2mm, Nyabing 12.4mm, Ongerup 11.8mm, Bencubbin 7mm, Mukinbudin 6.6mm, Bonnie Rock 6mm, and Goodlands 5mm.

Farmers say perfectly timed rainfall will boost harvest prospects. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Western Australian farmer Chad Eva from Three Springs said there had been “lovely and perfectly timed” rain over the weekend.

“We have had up to 15mm in the past couple of days,” he said.

Mr Eva said his region had received up to 200mm since May 27.

“Everything has emerged, and it is not looking too bad,” he said.

Overall, wheat crops were looking the best, and he was hoping for some good yield outcomes. This year he is growing wheat, lupins and a small amount of canola.

“The wheat is looking really good, and there is a lot of potential,” he said.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Ian Foster, said the June rainfall had been below normal for much of the central and eastern parts, but follow-up rain was expected to help build soil moisture reserves.

“The Bureau of Meteorology’s monthly rainfall outlook for August indicates near-normal rainfall chances,” he said.

“The seasonal outlook for August to October 2025 is for normal or above normal rain being more likely.”