As winter grips southern and central Queensland, grain growers are reporting encouraging progress in the early stages of the 2025 winter cropping season.
Despite recent cold fronts bringing frost and subzero temperatures to regions such as the Darling Downs, the Maranoa and Central Highlands, the overall outlook for key crops such as wheat, barley and chickpeas remains positive.
In central Queensland, Biloela-based Elders agronomist Gavin Lotz said the area sown to winter cereals and legumes was “slightly“ up this year due to healthy sub-soil moisture giving growers confidence to take a “calculated risk“.
He said this year’s sowing window, which usually closes in mid-June, had been extended in his area due to “reasonable recent rainfall“.
“Anything that was fallowed in preparation for winter 2025 has been planted and is looking quite good”, he said.
“We’re now seeing growers take the opportunity to double crop some area from summer mungbeans back into winter cereals.
“We would probably like an in-crop rainfall to guarantee some success, but we’re looking good so far.“
Looking ahead, the Bureau of Meteorology does anticipate a continuation of cooler temperatures and scattered showers across the central Queensland region.
These conditions are expected to support steady crop development if rainfall remains consistent and temperatures do not dip to levels that could damage young plants.
In southern Queensland, meanwhile, recent weather patterns have presented both challenges and opportunities for farmers.
A series of twin polar blasts have swept through the region, leading to freezing temperatures and widespread frost.
Towns such as Dalby and Applethorpe experienced apparent temperatures as low as -2.6°C, while areas such as Roma and Toowoomba recorded lows between one and five degrees.
While these conditions can stress emerging crops, they also help reduce pest populations and disease pressures, potentially benefiting crop health in the long term.
The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Australian Crop Report June 2025, predicts winter crop production in Queensland to fall 18 per cent this season to 3.1 million tonnes.
It will remain above the 10 year average, however.
Area planted to winter crops in Queensland is forecast to fall by four per cent to 1.5 million hectares in 2025–26 while remaining 22pc above the 10-year average to 2024–25.
Area planted to wheat and barley is expected to fall (by 6pc and 14pc respectively) but will remain above the 10-year averages to 2024–25.
By contrast, the area planted to chickpeas – a valuable rotation crop – is expected to rise by 2pc in 2025–26, supported by elevated prices.
Winter crop yields are forecast to fall by 14pc to about 2.1 tonnes per hectare in 2025–26 but remain 19pc above the 10-year average to 2024–25.
According to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), strong interest has been shown in high-performing wheat varieties such as LRPB Mustang and Sunchaser, as well as barley varieties such as RGT Planet.
These selections are tailored to suit the diverse soil types and climatic conditions across the state.
Overall, the 2025 winter cropping season in southern and central Queensland is off to a promising start.
With careful management and favourable weather conditions, growers are optimistic they will achieve strong yields and contribute to the state’s agricultural output.
