South Australia’s grain producers are increasingly adapting the way they operate, with more farmers leasing land and embracing collaborative farming arrangements to remain competitive in a challenging business environment.
The findings are contained in Grain Producers SA’s 2025 Annual Grain Producer Survey Insight Report, which attracted a record 1046 responses from growers across every cropping region of the state – including strong participation from Eyre Peninsula.
The report found more than 30 per cent of respondents lease land to expand their businesses, while almost one quarter are involved in share farming.
More than half also have succession plans already in place.
Grain Producers SA chief executive officer Brad Perry said the survey reflected the growing complexity of modern grain farming.
“This survey shows the modern grain producer is running an increasingly sophisticated business. Whether it’s employing staff, leasing land to achieve scale, planning succession or investing in new technology, today’s grain businesses are continually evolving,” he said.
“Grain producers have always planned for the long term, but the decisions they are making are becoming increasingly complex.
“Leasing land can help businesses achieve scale, better utilise machinery and labour, manage capital more effectively or support succession planning.”
The survey found participating grain businesses collectively employed more than 3200 South Australians and represented more than 1.29 million hectares of grain production.
Mr Perry said the report challenged outdated perceptions of agriculture.
“There remains a perception that grain farming is simply about planting a crop and hoping for rain, but today’s grain businesses are complex enterprises employing staff, investing millions of dollars, managing significant business risk and making long-term strategic decisions,” he said.
The report also highlighted the financial pressures facing growers, with almost half identifying fertiliser as their largest on-farm cost in 2025, followed by chemicals.
“The survey also reinforces that while production may fluctuate from season to season, the financial pressures facing grain businesses remain. Rising input costs, increasing operating expenses and lower commodity prices continue to challenge profitability, even in better production years.”
Despite the challenges, half of respondents were positive about the 2025 harvest and the industry’s long-term future, while three quarters reported being profitable during the year, although many said improvements were still needed.
The survey also found 72 per cent of respondents were affected by drought in 2025, with 85 per cent experiencing reduced yields, while more than 80 per cent continued to deal with mobile phone blackspots and kangaroos on their properties.
