The latest Grain Producers SA (GPSA) Seeding and Seasonal Outlook Survey has shown the high cost of inputs remains the biggest concern for South Australian grain producers.
The number of grain producers planting wheat dropped from 92 per cent in 2025 to 87 per cent in 2026, while barley being sowed dipped slightly year-on-year from 87 per cent to 84 per cent in 2026.
The survey shows higher input costs were not just hurting confidence, they were changing production decisions, with 73 per cent of surveyed grain producers already reducing fertiliser use compared to 50 per cent during the drought in 2025 – a move that could have direct implications for yield and profitability if seasonal conditions improve.
Chris Prime from Nantoura Poll Merino Stud said this year the cropping program has not changed much on the farm.
“Last year we did probably 90 to 95 per cent of our cropping program, this year we’ve got about five to ten per cent less,” he said.
“I don’t think our cropping program has changed between the two years, it’s just we’re a lot more advanced this year just for the simple fact it’s out of the ground because we’ve had rain.
“This time last year we were still seeding but it was dry, so we’ve sown into moisture this year and that’s good, it can rain every year if it wants to.”
On fuel prices, Mr Prime said farmers had to crop either way.
“We’re generally committed to having to crop,” he said.
“The way we farm now is sort of year-on-year and yes the fuel prices have gone up and it does increase our inputs and that’s through everything not just fuel price but our fertiliser prices – all our inputs because they all have to truck here.
“But we just have to try and absorb that and try and grow a little bit more. It just has to keep raining, that’s the major thing we rely on is rain.”
Nearly half of the grain producers responding to the survey described their financial position as manageable but tight, 28 per cent said they were under significant pressure and 60 per cent were already cutting fertiliser use to try and contain soaring costs.
GPSA chief executive officer Brad Perry said the survey painted a picture of an industry continuing to push forward despite growing financial and seasonal challenges.
“This survey shows that South Australian grain producers are getting on with the job of seeding despite so many things happening around them that they have no ability to influence,” he said.
“Many grain producers told us they had either reduced crop area, adjusted rotations, reduced nitrogen applications or switched into lower-input crops to try and manage costs and risk this season.
“Others indicated they had been fortunate enough to secure fuel or fertiliser early before the major spikes, but there remains significant anxiety about ongoing pricing and availability through the season and into harvest. Fuel, fertiliser, finance and freight costs have all increased sharply, while grain prices have softened considerably compared to previous years.”
Mr Perry said GPSA would continue advocating strongly on behalf of growers around fuel security, fertiliser supply, input affordability and seasonal support measures, including attending regular government fuel and fertiliser meetings.
The GPSA Seeding and Season Outlook 2026 survey was conducted in April and May 2026 and received 384 responses from grain producers across South Australia.
