Grain Producers SA was inundated with suggestions for its first Harvest 100 playlist, with Driving Wheels by Jimmy Barnes making its way through the pack to the number one spot.

As farmers prepare for seven-day weeks harvesting over the next few months, the peak group representing 4,500 grain producers across the state decided in early October to sort some music to accompany the long and sometimes lonely hours out in the paddocks.

More than 900 songs were submitted for the playlist from farmers, ag industries, community members, media and political identities, with  Barnes taking out two of the top 10 spots.

“We received so many song submissions that we’ve been able to pull together a 250-song playlist for the inaugural Harvest 100 which will provide hours of listening as grain producers start up the headers,” GPSA chief executive officer Brad Perry said.

Slim Dusty’s Lights On The Hill made it into the Harvest 100 top ten. Photo: AAP/Mick Tsikas

“Not only did we receive an impressive amount of song submissions through the Harvest 100, but it also created many discussions which act as a reminder to grain producers about the importance of mental health and wellbeing and talking to their fellow growers during harvest,” Perry said.

“With our grain producers spending significant amounts of time sitting on machinery this harvest, the Harvest 100 is an initiative aimed at creating a community knowing that many other growers across the state are listening to the same playlist.

“The final 250 playlist is a big mix of quirky tunes, country music, hits from decades past and some of the latest songs frequenting the airwaves.”

The Top 10 songs of the Harvest 100 are:

1. Driving Wheels – Jimmy Barnes
2. International Harvester – Craig Morgan
3. Thunderstruck – AC/DC
4. Harvest Time – Luke Bryan
5. Thank God I’m a Country Boy – John Denver
6. God’s Country – Blake Shelton
7. Working Class Man – Jimmy Barnes
8. Have You Ever Seen the Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. Lights on the Hill – Slim Dusty
10. Boys from the Bush – Lee Kernaghan

The full list of Harvest 100 tracks can be found on the Grain Producers SA website and downloaded on Spotify.

The playlist has been released as farmers face uncertainty over initial forecasts for the second largest grain haul in the state, recent and unexpectedly high rainfall has damaged some crops with many concerned it will cause disease.

Late rainfall also means the majority of SA farmers are starting harvest several weeks late, with Perry saying this added pressure on farmers’ mental health with most now likely to be out harvesting when they usually would have been finished early enough to spend time with family at Christmas.

Perry said the playlist gave those working in the grain sector “something to listen to when they are sitting for hours on ag machinery and provides an alternative to watching other forms of distracting technology.”

“We hope this playlist will create a sense of community with grain producers knowing their fellow farmers are listening to the same songs right across the state,” he said.

Deputy chair of the Grains Research and Development Corporation southern panel Pru Cook warned growers to take extra precautions as higher rainfall also meant many would be harvesting in wet paddocks this year.

“Harvest will be a long, drawn-out process that will present a range of physical and mental challenges for growers and harvest workers,” she said.

“We want to remind everyone involved in harvest operations this year to take their time to prepare, understand the risks and how to reduce them, and to look out for each other.”