Crops

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development continues to support the growth and international competitiveness of all crop industries in Western Australia.

With a 2400 kilometre span from its tropical north to its temperate south, WA supports a broad range of cropping industries from rain-fed winter cereals through to irrigated horticultural crops.

In the 2012/13 year the WA cropping industries exported a total of $3.9 billion which comprised: $3.1 billion of cereals, $859 million of pulses, pastures and oilseeds, $142 million of horticultural crops. The major contributors to these exports were wheat ($2.7 billion), canola ($756 million), barley ($377 million), lupins ($42 million), carrots at $48 million, oats ($12 million), and strawberries at $5.5 million.

Articles

Rice in the Ord River Irrigation Area

30 May 2014

Rice has been cultivated in many countries for thousands of years. It is a staple food for a significant proportion of the world's population and demand is growing.
IrrigateWA

16 October 2015

IrrigateWA is an irrigation app that will assist with the implementation of correct irrigation scheduling for a variety of crops, regions and soil types in Western Australia.
Rice blast races present in Australia

4 February 2014

Rice blast is the most important disease of rice worldwide and detection of the disease in 2010 halted the rice industry in its tracks in northern Western Australia.
Rice blast disease

13 June 2014

Rice blast caused by fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is generally considered the most important disease of rice worldwide because of its extensive distribution and destructiveness unde
Sugarcane in the Ord River Irrigation Area

11 June 2014

Sugarcane was grown commercially in the Ord River Irrigation Area between 1995 and 2007.
Using dye to show water movement below drip irrigation

14 November 2013

Water movement patterns on the soil surface may not be a good guide to what is happening below the surface and can lead to inefficient irrigation.
Making a difference in farm biosecurity - educational package

18 February 2015

This farm biosecurity educational package developed for upper secondary agricultural students consists of a suite of lesson plans with case studies and activities. The content aims to help students
Quinoa in Western Australia

17 July 2014

Quinoa is a plant that has become popular and fashionable because of its high protein but gluten-free status. It is not a grain but can be used in similar ways to rice and couscous.
Chickpeas in the Ord River Irrigation Area

10 June 2014

Kabuli chickpeas are a high value industry in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA). A large-seeded, high quality grain is grown for domestic and export markets.