South Australian Farmers Rejoice in 'Once-in-a-Lifetime' Wet Season After Drought

After enduring successive years of devastating drought, grain farmers across South Australia are celebrating what they describe as the best growing conditions in their lifetimes. The region has experienced significant rainfall, with some farms receiving more than double their total rainfall for previous years, sparking widespread optimism for a bountiful harvest.

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I've been doing this for 28 years and I honestly feel like this could be a once-in-a-lifetime year … personally, as a family farm.

Farmers have reported rainfall figures that far exceed those of recent dry seasons. On parts of the Eyre Peninsula, some growers have seen rainfall nearly triple last year's totals. This abundant rain, particularly the early start in February and further showers in August, has set crops up for a crucial spring growing period. "I've been doing this for 28 years and I honestly feel like this could be a once-in-a-lifetime year… personally, as a family farm," said Streaky Bay farmer Dion Williams.

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When you get 120mm on the end of February, and everything starts to grow, your optimism starts to grow, especially after the last two years.

The contrast to the past two years is dramatic. Williams noted that 2026 is "chalk and cheese" compared to the previous seasons, which were marked by hardship. "When you get 120mm on the end of February, and everything starts to grow, your optimism starts to grow, especially after the last two years," he said. While acknowledging the risks of frost and the remaining weeks of the growing season, the potential for a large South Australian grain crop is considered "massive."

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Never before, haven't seen before in my time, so it's a fantastic year. Early break, perfect conditions, crops in and up as early as you'd like to go, couldn't have asked for any better, really.

Farmers like Chris Lymn at Wudinna, who grows lentils and barley, have recorded over 400mm of rain in 2026. "Never before, haven't seen before in my time, so it's a fantastic year," Lymn stated. "Early break, perfect conditions, crops in and up as early as you'd like to go, couldn't have asked for any better, really." Miles Tomney, a farmer from Cungena, received 138mm in late February alone, nearly his total for the previous year, and has since surpassed 450mm. "Confidence is up. Everyone's got a positive outlook at the moment, hopefully for everything the frosts stay away and everyone gets a piece of it [the rain]," Tomney added. He observed that the positive conditions seem to be statewide, suggesting "South Australia's turn by the looks."

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It might be one out of the box we might not ever see again. Confidence is up. Everyone's got a positive outlook at the moment, hopefully for the frosts stay away and everyone gets a piece of it [the rain].