Category: Grains

Australia’s winter crop planting is set to climb by over 25pc this year on the back of widespread and well-timed rainfall across most of the country, according to Rabobank. Source: Grain Central Australia’s winter crop planting set to soar more than 25pc: Rabobank

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has praised the actions of landholders and council weeds officers in detecting parthenium weed with the latest finds in Tamworth, Bendemeer, Blandford, Boggabri, the Kamilaroi Highway and Gunningbland near Parkes. Source: Beef Central Parthenium under control at 15 sites in NSW

Keep up to date with Australian cropping industry developments with Grain Central’s monthly quiz. Source: Grain Central Grain Central’s May 2020 grain and cropping news quiz

Why are there flour shortages from Europe to the United States and Australia? The answer is both simple and complex. Source: Grain Central Why flour is still missing from supermarket shelves

Agricultural chemical production is facing increasing public scrutiny and heightened regulation that are stifling the production of new and innovative herbicides and pesticides. Source: Grain Central Regulation, restrictions threaten development of ag chemicals

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A Queensland agronomist says he’s got farmers who haven’t sown a winter crop since 2016 — but this year there are seeds in the ground and hope in the air. Source: ABC Grain Queensland farmers plant winter crops for the first time in years

Members of Australia’s biggest wheat exporter have narrowly voted to remove a board member, Trevor Badger, for the first time in the WA cooperative’s 87-year history. Source: ABC Grain CBH Group members support board member dismissal

“It gives a little bit of security, not a lot,” say Murray Valley irrigators who will receive their first water allocation in two years and hope to plant rice. Source: ABC Grain ‘Just a little bit of certainty’: Irrigators hope to plant rice after small water allocation

Australia’s largest wheat exporter will hold a special meeting today to decide the fate of a board member accused of leaking confidential board information. Source: ABC Grain Unprecedented vote on fate of CBH director accused of board leak

Eastern states bulk-handler GrainCorp has reported an underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of $55 million for the half-year ended 31 March 2020, a turnaround from the $48M net loss recorded in 1H19. Source: Grain Central GrainCorp posts m 1H20 profit as outlook improves

The start to the 2020 cropping season has been “hit and miss” in Western Australia where an estimated 8.4 million hectares of winter crop will go in this season, Source: Grain Central Scratchy start to WA winter cropping season

After softening in the past week, markets appear to be settled at lower levels, while space in Brisbane for transshipped grain fills up on reduced near-term demand. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Prices ease as north’s demand wanes

Production has started at BioMar Australia’s aquafeed facilty at Wesley Vale in northern Tasmania with the first trucks of fish-feed starting to roll out of the facility. Source: Grain Central BioMar opens Tasmanian aquafeed mill

Despite ongoing drought, frost and devastating bushfires, South Australia’s 2019-20 grain harvest finished on a more positive note than earlier projected, at an estimated 6.5 million tonnes. Source: Grain Central SA’s harvest estimate for 2019-20 tops at 6.5Mt

Prices for wheat and barley in nearby and new-crop markets have dropped sharply this week to reflect subdued domestic demand and the stronger Australian dollar, as well as buoyant production prospects for New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Prices drop sharply in limited trade

Keep up to date with Australian cropping industry developments with Grain Central’s monthly quiz. Source: Grain Central Grain Central’s April 2020 grain and cropping news quiz

Namoi Cotton Limited has reported a $10.99 million loss for the year ended 29 February, 2020, a drop of $10.43 million on the previous year. Source: Grain Central Namoi Cotton posts .99 million loss

South Australia will allow mainland farmers to grow genetically-modified (GM) crops from next season, but councils can apply to remain GM-free. Source: ABC Grain After 16 years, SA lifts ban on genetically-modified crops

Potential sightings of plague locusts in the Cobar and Nyngan areas of NSW have prompted a warning from Western Local Land Services Source: Grain Central Plague locusts on the rise in western NSW

Researchers in Victoria are experimenting with biosolids in a bid to improve farm productivity, and the results are very promising so far. Source: ABC Grain Human waste could lead to huge increase in crop yields, research trial finds

Queensland Senator, Susan McDonald, has hailed “a win for people power” following MSF Sugar’s decision to now supply Australian customers with molasses to help feed beef and dairy stock through winter. Source: Beef Central MSF Sugar reverses molasses export decision

Mungbean growers are reaping the rewards of high prices and high-grade grain as harvest gets into swing in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Source: Grain Central High quality, high return mungbean harvest gathers pace

Exceptional sorghum values are trading in the north amid ongoing dry in Queensland. Much of south-eastern Australia has begun the winter-crop program in near ideal conditions, keeping market activity quiet in wheat and barley. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Wheat and barley markets largely steady

Global feed stocks provider, Al Dahra Australia, will invest $10 million in a hi-tech production line and press at its Western Australian hay processing facility at Wannamal. Source: Grain Central WA hay plant development to lift export capacity

Gene editing has the potential to dramatically increase the number of traits that can be introduced into agricultural crops, far quicker and cheaper than genetic modification (GM) technology. Source: Grain Central Gene editing opens faster, cheaper way to introduce new crop traits

New-crop values for barley and wheat have eased in the past week to reflect consolidating prospects for the winter crop now being planted. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Nearby firm, new-crop up to /t lower

The increased use of precision agriculture practices and other workarounds can play a key role in softening the impact of potential agricultural input shortages due to COVID-19. Source: Grain Central Precision ag softens fertiliser, chemical supply risk

Fall armyworm has been confirmed near Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, following the earlier discovery of the pest in north Queensland, the Northern Territory and in Kununurra. Source: Grain Central Fall armyworm found near Broome

Despite temporary shortages of some food items in supermarkets, ABARES says Australia does not have a food security problem, although the rice industry says there could be a shortfall in rice. Source: Grain Central Australia’s food security assured, but rice faces shortfall

Canola is set to bloom again in New South Wales with widespread rain expected to lift production levels as farmers get back into sowing the crop. Source: ABC Grain Fields of gold set to return as croppers keep canola in rotation

Long-serving guardian of the Nuffield farming scholarship program, Jim Geltch, has retired, leaving in good shape an organisation that continues to invest in the human capital of agriculture. Source: Grain Central Jim Geltch calls time on years at helm of Nuffield scholarship program

Current crop wheat moved higher, its spread to barley stretching around double the usual as buyers booked winter rations. China export shipments supported barley. New crop markets slumbered on cheerier planting outlook. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Domestic shorts lift nearby wheat

SPRING fodder harvest plans should be implemented to help rebuild the nation’s hay stock despite a tempering in demand and prices, according to the industry’s peak body. Source: Sheep Central Now is the time to plan to rebuild national fodder reserves

A new herbicide for controlling annual ryegrass has received full registration in Australia and will be available for the 2021 winter crop season. Source: Grain Central New ryegrass herbicide to debut on Australian market

If you’re hoping to bake hot cross buns or fresh scones this Easter you might have to think again — mills simply cannot get their product delivered fast enough to restock supermarkets. Source: ABC Grain Home bakers put heat on supermarket flour supplies

New-crop values for wheat and barley have eased this week on rain which is improving prospects by the day for a big winter-cereal planting in eastern Australia, while price movements in nearby markets have been mixed. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: New crop values for wheat and barley ease

Agfarm looks set to close its doors in coming months as its owners Nutrien Ag Solutions and CHS Inc call time on a sale campaign for the business. Source: Grain Central Agfarm to close as search for new owner abandoned

Keep up to date with Australian cropping industry developments with Grain Central’s monthly quiz. Source: Grain Central Grain Central’s March 2020 grain and cropping news quiz

The invasive pest fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) has been found in northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory, following its first detection in Australia on Queensland’s Cape York in January 2020. Source: Beef Central Fall armyworm detected in NT and WA

The agave plant used to make tequila could be established in semi-arid Australia as a biofuel solution to Australia’s transport fuel shortage. Source: Grain Central ‘Tequila’ plant could be potential source of biofuel

GRDC has today announced the formation of Grains Australia Ltd to deliver industry-good services and functions including variety classification. Source: Grain Central GRDC announces formation of Grains Australia Ltd body

Nufarm has announced a loss for the first half of 2020 of $122 million (1H19: $14m), with revenue down six per cent to $1,477 million. Source: Grain Central Nufarm posts 2 million half year loss

GrainGrowers has criticised the approach taken in a report released by the University of Sydney that features a ‘glyphosate contamination map’. Source: Grain Central GrainGrowers calls out “alarmist” glyphosate map study

Buoyed by good rain and dramatically improved winter cropping prospects, 43pc of grain growers are positive about conditions improving this year, according to the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey. Source: Grain Central Rural confidence rises to highest level in almost five years: Rabobank

As expected, GrainCorp shareholders have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the demerger of the company’s malting assets into the separate United Malt Group entity which is on track to start trading on 2 April. Source: Grain Central GrainCorp shareholders approve demerger of United Malt Group

Concerns that Australia’s wheat quality levels have slipped over the past 10 years have come under scrutiny in a comprehensive review by GrainGrowers. Source: Grain Central Sliding wheat quality prompts rethink of price signals, classification

Keep up to date with Australian cropping industry developments with Grain Central’s monthly quiz. Source: Grain Central Grain Central’s February 2020 grain and cropping news quiz

Uncertainty about the direction of domestic and global markets has kept volume trading in the feedgrain market to a minimum this week. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Barley slides, wheat holds in minimal trade

The process to migrate all 50 members of the Feed Ingredients and Additives Association of Australia (FIAAA) to the latest globally recognised FAMI-QS quality-assurance system has started. Source: Grain Central Australian feed-additive sector shifts to FAMI-QS V6

The widely-used knockdown herbicide, glyphosate, faces an uncertain future under mounting legal, community and weed-resistance challenges. Source: Grain Central Glyphosate faces uncertain future

The contribution of Victorian agronomy consultant, Harm van Rees, to the Australian grains industry has been officially recognised with the GRDC 2020 Southern Region Recognising and Rewarding Excellence Award. Source: Grain Central Grain industry celebrates southern stalwart’s contribution

Public and private crop breeding organisations from across Australia have joined forces for the first time to launch a national crop breeding advocacy group called Australian Crop Breeders Ltd (ACB). Source: Grain Central National crop breeding advocacy group launched

Consultants, researchers and growers are taking the opportunity to hear the latest research results and connect with their peers at the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Update… Source: Grain Central New research focus at Goondiwindi Update + PICS

The world wheat indicator price is forecast to average slightly higher at US$225 per tonne in 2020–21, according to ABARES’ Agricultural Commodities report released today. Source: Grain Central Wheat prices to increase slightly, coarse grains unchanged: ABARES

Britain’s exit from the European Union is unlikely to have significant implications for the Australian grain industry, but will impact UK farmers and the nation’s plant breeding system. Source: Grain Central Brexit to have little impact on Australian grain industry

The latest research findings, critical seasonal advice and information to support the grains industry through 2020 was delivered at the annual GRDC Grains Research Update in Wagga Wagga, southern NSW. Source: Grain Central New research sets the scene at Wagga Wagga Update + PICS

When photographs taken on a salt-crusted depression just outside the tiny town of Sea Lake started popping up on Chinese social media sites, the proud local farming community saw a major opportunity. Source: ABC Grain An isolated grain town has been transformed into an international tourism hot spot

AEGIC has developed a processing method for transforming oats into “rice” in a bid to elevate oats from the breakfast table to becoming a go-to option for lunch and dinner. Source: Grain Central Oats reinvents itself as ‘rice’ to expand market opportunities