Australia Prioritizes Pulse Cultivation for Crop Rotation

28-Oct-2025 08:07 PM

Brisbane. Despite the increasing acreage of canola as a break crop, pulse cultivation remains a significant part of crop rotation plans in Australia.

Latest data from the government agency ABARES shows that the area planted with pulses has reached a new high, surpassing last year's record level. In fact, growing pulses in winter crop rotations is proving to be quite profitable for farmers.

According to analysts, farmers in Australia's northern states make every effort to increase chickpea production when weather conditions are favorable. Similarly, lentil acreage has been increasing significantly in the country's southern provinces over the past ten years.

In the western region, lupin has become a stable pulse, with 77 percent of production expected this year in the Western Australian province. However, in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, lupin acreage has been declining for the past six years, while farmers are prioritizing faba bean cultivation to increase its production.

Pulse yields vary across regions and states. Pulse crops are sensitive to many factors. Over the past 12 years, significant variations in yield rates have been observed across regions. However, an increase in acreage has improved overall pulse production.

Gross lentil production in Australia is projected to reach a new record high of 1.7 million tonnes during the 2025-26 season, based on an average yield of 1.50 tonnes per hectare. This production estimate was made in September, but the weather subsequently turned dry.

Harvesting preparations for the new chickpea crop have begun in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Weather conditions there have been largely favorable this time as well. Chickpea production in Australia peaked at 2.2 million tonnes during the 2024-25 marketing season, while production is estimated at 1.95 million tonnes in the current 2025-26 marketing season.