Grains

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has significant direct investment in grains research, development and extension capability and activities, research infrastructure and policy development.

The Western Australian grains industry is a major contributor to the agrifood sector and the Australian economy. WA produces on average 13 million tonnes of grains (cereals, oilseeds and pulses) each year. Grain exports generate more than $4 billion (five year average) for the WA economy each year – making it the largest agricultural sector in the state, and the fourth largest export industry overall after iron ore, oil and gas, and gold.

WA exports about 80% of its annual grain production to more than 50 countries worldwide. Indonesia is WA’s top wheat export market worth over $0.5 billion per year. WA is the world’s leading supplier of premium malting barley to China, the major supplier of wheat for the Japanese udon noodle market, and a major feed barley supplier to the Middle East.

In the 2014/15 season it is estimated the WA grains industry exported a total of $3.7 billion of cereals and $790 billion of pulse, pasture and oilseeds. The major contributors to these exports were wheat ($2.7 billion), barley ($905 million), canola ($710 million), oats ($83 million) and lupins ($77 million).

2023 Crop Sowing Guide for WA

The Crop Sowing Guide for Western Australia is a one stop shop for variety information on all the major crops grown in Western Australia, compiled by officers in the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

This edition includes the major crops grown in WA – wheat, barley, canola, oat, lupins and pulses. The publication aims to provide information to support growers with decisions on the best choice of variety for each of the major crops for the upcoming season. The lupin and pulse sections also includes an “agronomy guide” summary to support management decisions required for these high value industries.

Hardcopies of the 2023 Crop Sowing Guide for Western Australia are available from DPIRD offices and other agribusiness outlets. Learn more

See Also

Previous Pause Next

Articles

  • The foreground shows a trial plot of Williams oats at early pannicle emergence. The crop is green against a background of an overcast day after a shower of rain. The crop is still wet and on the horizon more clouds are forming behind low hills.

    Williams: a milling quality oat for Western Australia

    28 October 2013

    Williams is a milling oat variety which was released in September 2013. It is a mid-tall, high yielding line with an improved disease resistance profile compared to current varieties.

  • Close-up of a desiantha weevil adult on a leaf

    Oats: insect pests

    29 November 2013

    Grain insects are not permitted in export grain or grain for sale and there is a zero tolerance for insects in export hay. Protecting against field and stored grain pests is therefore critical.

  • Spring growth of an oat crop in York 2013

    Oats: seeding and establishment

    28 November 2013

    Cultural practices from paddock preparation to seeding rate and sowing date help promote plant establishment and survival.

  • Foreground of ripe oat crop with a harvester in the distance

    Oats: harvesting, swathing and grain storage

    1 November 2013

    Harvesting oats is usually done by direct heading of standing grain as soon as the crop is ripe which will help reduce grain shedding.

  • Early growth stage of National Variety Testing plots. View is looking across a trial site with a tree line on the horizon. Seven row plots with plant growing vigorously.

    Oats: variety selection

    6 November 2013

    Identifying the option that will lead to the greatest returns for a grower is a complex problem. Yield will be one of the key determinants of returns, but grain quality is also a consideration.

  • Western Australian oat industry

    1 November 2013

    The oat industry delivers nearly $200 million to the state economy each year through oats for human consumption and feed.

  • Rows of windrowed hay in paddocks ready for baling

    Oats: hay quality for export and domestic markets

    29 November 2013

    The oaten hay market in Western Australia has developed significantly in recent years.

  • Image of container ship being loaded at Fremantle Port

    Hay exports

    4 December 2013

    Western Australia exports on average 48% of Australia's oaten hay, exporting around 300 000 tonnes worth over A$88 million in 2012/13.

  • Boom spray applying chemical over pasture paddock

    Oats: weeds and integrated weed management

    28 November 2013

    Oats are more competitive with weeds than most other crops but weed control is still critical, particularly in hay crops as weeds can cause downgrading or rejection of export hay.

  • A brown paddock with strips of winrowed hay drying ready to be baled

    Growing oaten hay on frost-prone paddocks

    14 December 2010

    Growing oaten hay on frost-prone paddocks minimises the frost risk as it is cut soon after flowering, avoiding the frost-sensitive period.

Pages

Filter by search

Filter by topic