Category: Grains

Australia is on track for a major recovery in grain production, with the winter harvest set to come in at an above-average 47.4 million tonnes, according to Rabobank’s later crop report. Source: Grain Central Australia on track for above-average winter crop: Rabobank

There’s a glow atop the paddocks in northern New South Wales, a sight locals and farmers haven’t seen since 2016. It’s header drivers working into the night to get the most important crop in years off as quickly as possible. Source: ABC Grain ‘Waiting for a crop for too long’: Excitement brews as growers… Read more »

Wheat prices have strengthened in the past week as harvesting growers focus on selling barley for cash and holding their high-quality and high-protein wheat in a rising market. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Wheat strengthens on limited grower selling

Dry spring conditions through the heart of the WA wheatbelt have stripped about 1.5Mt from the state’s winter crop estimates in the past month, according to GIWA’s latest crop report released today. Source: Grain Central Cool finish limits slide in WA winter crop yield potential, now pegged at 13Mt

Australian winter crop production is forecast at 44.7 million tonnes, nine per cent above average and a 49pc year-on-year increase, according to Rural Bank Insights Update October 2020 release today. Source: Grain Central Winter crop pegged at 44.7Mt, 9pc above average: Rural Bank

Growers urged to look out for insect classified as a serious threat to Australia’s grain, rice, cotton, horticultural and sugar industries and can feed on up to 350 plant species. Source: ABC Grain After decimating crops across the world, the fall armyworm has moved into new Australian territory

‘Hard seltzers’ are shaking up American drinking culture, but it’s a category of drink Australians are not familiar with yet. Will it be a fad, flop or the future of booze? Source: ABC Grain Hard seltzer is a US alcohol trend heading Down Under. But what is it and is it a fad?

Nearby values for northern wheat and barley have succumbed to harvest pressure, and nearby cottonseed prices have weakened with them, but southern markets are firming based on rising world values for wheat. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: North drops, southern wheat firms

A 35-year-old man from Penrice has died at the scene of a workplace accident at a mill north of Adelaide. Source: ABC Grain SA man dies in workplace accident at Barossa feed mill

Cotton planting for the 2020-21 season is well underway with Cotton Australia predicting a 2.1-million-bale national crop – slightly below average but well above last year’s drought-devastated 600,000-bale crop. Source: Grain Central Cotton sowing sets scene for modest 2.1-million-bale crop

Viterra received barley on Saturday into its Port Pirie site to kick off deliveries for South Australia’s major bulk handler in the 2020-21 harvest. Source: Grain Central Viterra receives first new-crop grain in South Australia

Wheat and barley values have been mixed in the past week as the market weighs up varying new-crop prospects, and the last of the current-crop shorts get covered. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Price moves mixed in thin trade

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

Agronomists and farmers need to vigorously defend the use of glyphosate at every opportunity or risk losing the valuable chemical, according to long-standing ag consultant Paul McIntosh. Source: Grain Central Defend the use of glyphosate – but have a backup plan

As harvest approaches, one of the most significant costs will be fuel. Thomas Elder Markets agricultural market analyst, Andrew Whitelaw, takes a look into the driver of price, and where prices currently are. Source: Grain Central What drives the price of diesel?

AUSTRALIA’S fodder industry needed to focus on producing better products year-round for livestock producers, according to the sector’s new leader. Source: Sheep Central New fodder industry leader is focused on year-round quality

People bringing harvesting machinery into NSW from Queensland are required by law to ensure equipment crossing the border is free of the devastating parthenium weed and its seeds. Source: Beef Central Parthenium alert for harvest machinery crossing Qld-NSW border

A farming cooperative in the Ord Irrigation Scheme teams up with a food company in Perth to create Western Australia’s first locally grown chickpea snack range — direct from paddock to packet. Source: ABC Grain Ord farmers on the pulse with new range of value-added chickpea products

Recognised with a Growers of the Year award for 2020, Peter and Erin Draper are congratulated for their best practice and sustainable cropping. Source: ABC Grain Award-winning Leeton rice growers celebrate 45 years of commitment to the crop

Population growth and changing consumer dietary preferences will be positives for the grain industry over the next decade, but there will be challenges from international competition, trade tensions and climate change… Source: Sheep Central Australian cropping programs to favour feedgrain production in next decade

Population growth and changing consumer dietary preferences will be positives for the grain industry over the next decade, but there will be challenges from international competition, trade tensions and climate change. Source: Beef Central Australian cropping programs to favour feed grain production in next decade

Values for nearby barley have jumped in the northern market on some short covering ahead of harvest volume, while southern values have mostly softened, despite limited grower selling. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: South softer, north mixed in thin trade

Population growth and changing consumer dietary preferences will be positives for the grain industry over the next decade, but there will be challenges from international competition, trade tensions and climate change. Source: Grain Central Grain sector faces new opportunities, challenges on the way to 2030

GrainGrowers used the COVID-safe medium of virtual technology to run its 62nd AGM yesterday and announce the results of the election of Western Region grower directors. Source: Grain Central Virtual AGM relays GrainGrowers’ achievements, election results

In one of the region’s driest growing seasons ever, a new $18 million bulk-grain handling facility at an inland port is predicted to save Queensland farmers thousands of dollars in freight costs. Source: ABC Grain Inland port near Emerald to save farmers thousands of dollars in freight

The Australian seaweed industry is making waves, with plans to be a $100 million plus industry in the next five years. Investors and entrepreneurs are lining up to get involved in seaweed to make money and make a difference by reducing livestock emissions, improving ocean health and creating jobs in regional areas. But development will… Read more »

Wheat and barley traded firm to higher this week in limited volume on minimal growing selling and steady export demand for wheat which is making barley look more attractive to domestic consumers. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Wheat mostly higher on northern dry

Northern NSW and southern Queensland grain growers are being encouraged to bait for mice, with mouse numbers expected to rise under favourable conditions across the region. Source: Grain Central Mice threaten NSW-Qld winter crop, summer plantings

Growers in a rich cotton region of northern New South Wales have received their first water allocation in more than three years, boosting confidence ahead of winter harvest and summer planting. Source: ABC Grain North West irrigators get their first water allocation in three years

Some farmers in the Riverina take the unusual step of spraying winter crops or cutting them for stock feed so they can plant rice this season. Source: ABC Grain Riverina farmers remove winter crops to make room for rice

Australia’s first open access, locally bred quinoa variety, Kruso White, was launched in Kununurra, WA, today. Source: Grain Central New quinoa variety to underpin fledgling industry

Voting is currently underway for GrainGrowers Western Region Board of directors with the results to be announced at the organisation’s first ever virtual AGM on 16 September 2020. Source: Grain Central Growers go to the polls to elect western directors

Australian winter crop production is forecast to increase by 64pc in 2020-21, with NSW expected to have its second biggest winter crop in a decade, according to ABARES’ September 2020 Australian Crop Report released today. Source: Grain Central NSW leads expected bounce back in national winter crop to 47.9Mt: ABARES

Northern barley prices have firmed in the past week while the start of the Queensland wheat harvest saw old and new-crop markets converge, and values were mostly firmer in the south also. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Northern barley prices firm

Farmer confidence levels have continued a downward trend, but the nation’s grain producers are buoyed by prospects of a bumper harvest, according to the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey results. Source: Grain Central Ag sector confidence slides; harvest optimism buoys grain farmers: Rabobank

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

South Australia’s grain industry sets its sights on becoming the baking wheat capital of Australia in its blueprint to grow the sector to $6 billion a year by 2030. Source: ABC Grain SA grain industry outlines plan to become a billion industry

Moderate mouse activity has been reported in parts of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Source: Grain Central Mouse activity on the rise in eastern, southern cropping regions

Demand in southern markets for new-crop export business has closed the inverse on barley and narrowed it for wheat, while in the north, new-crop values have firmed on limited selling. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Values steady as southern inverses shrink

Grower and trader selling on nearby and new-crop barley has driven values down to levels which are buying bulk and containerised export demand. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Prices drop on sell-side pressure

Multinational grain heavyweight Glencore Agriculture will rebrand in late 2020 as Viterra, already its banner for on-the-ground operations in Australia and Canada. Source: Grain Central Glencore Agriculture to rebrand globally as Viterra

The GRDC Board has announced the new panel members who will represent the interests of growers in the northern, southern and western farming regions for the next two years. Source: Grain Central GRDC appoints new regional panels

After more than two decades of searching Australian scientists may have found the most significant climate change adaption for wheat growers. Source: ABC Grain New experimental wheat could help drought-affected farmers

Several infestations of khapra beetle have been detected in imported cargo in the ACT, posing a potential threat to Australia’s grain industry. Source: Grain Central Khapra beetle detected in imported cargo

Moves to rapidly expand the northern cotton industry – and with it a locally-produced supply of cotton seed for cattle – are gaining momentum in the lead up to this weekend’s Northern Territory Government elections. Source: Beef Central ‘Lint for socks and jocks, cotton seed for cattle’: Northern cotton push grows

A Tasmanian business that manufactures tanks for wine, whisky and milk, now plans to fill them with its own spirit. Source: ABC Livestock Metal fabricators prepare to fill their own copper stills with Tasmanian whisky

Prices for wheat and barley have softened this week after rain into the weekend bolstered yield prospects across most of Australia’s cropping districts and prompted some grower selling. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Rain softens new-crop values

Early signs of mouse activity have been reported in southern Queensland, putting growers on alert for a potential rise in numbers leading into summer crop planting. Source: Grain Central Rising mouse numbers put eastern croppers on alert

As Australia heads for one of its biggest ever grain crops a major challenge will be to make sure the industry is ready to handle the massive volume, according to the latest ANZ grains report. Source: Grain Central Call for industry planning ahead of bumper crop: ANZ

Australia’s winter crop is on track to increase by 45 per cent year-on-year, assuming average production can be achieved in WA and SA, according to Rural Bank’s August Insights Update. Source: Grain Central Winter crop set to increase 45pc on last year, but threats remain: Rural Bank

Prices for barley, sorghum and wheat have softened this week as the inverse between nearby and new-crop narrows in response to  forecast rain across southern Australia which is expected to consolidate yield prospects in all states bar Queensland. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Prices fall on rain, approaching new crop

Scientists have identified top-performing black sesame varieties to suit a range of northern Australian conditions, laying the foundation for building a new high-value cropping industry. Source: Grain Central Top sesame varieties identified for Northern Australia

Ammonium nitrate, one of the world’s most widely used fertilisers, caused the massive explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday evening that killed at least 78 people and injured thousands more. Source: Grain Central Ammonium nitrate stockpile spawns massive Beirut port explosion

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

Growers are gazing ahead to a glorious harvest if the season continues as it is, after a sharp turnaround in rainfall for New South Wales this year. Source: ABC Grain NSW crop production set to triple in size

Ridley has opened its new feedmill at Wellsford in Victoria, and is preparing its nearby site at Bendigo for divestment. Source: Grain Central Ridley opens new Wellsford mill near Bendigo

Harvest of Australia’s smallest sorghum crop in 50 years is drawing to a close in central and southern Queensland to mark the end of a late and challenging season from start to finish for many growers. Source: Beef Central Dismal sorghum harvest draws to a late close

Prices for wheat and barley have firmed in the past week in response to concerns about lack of moisture for some crops as spring approaches. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Values firm as crop concerns build

Riverina-based Yenda Prods Grain (YPG) has announced that it has acquired a minority stake in niche grain marketer, Origin Grain Pty Ltd. Source: Grain Central Yenda Prods acquires stake in Origin Grain

Australia’s largest rice processing company is standing by the price it has offered farmers to grow rice this season, despite an almost 40 per cent drop on last season’s price.  Source: ABC Grain SunRice says season’s price ‘very high’ despite 40 per cent drop

The first seedlings from a research project to develop a sterile leucaena variety were transplanted at secure sites at Carnarvon, Broome and Kununurra recently. Source: Beef Central First sterile leucaena trial seedlings planted in WA’s north

Barley has increasingly become the grain of choice among eastern states feedlot operators this year, as a wide price gap appeared between the two major white grains. Source: Beef Central Barley driving the bus in feedlot rations

Grain destined for domestic animal feed use has risen to over 40pc of Australia’s total annual grain production, reflecting the continued growth of the beef cattle feedlot and chicken meat sectors in Australia and the more recent impact of severe drought years. Source: Beef Central The rise and rise of feed grain

Feedgrain values have softened this week on some current and new-crop selling, but mixed yield prospects for eastern Australia’s wheat and barley crops have tempered losses. Source: Beef Central Feed grain focus: Prices ease as focus switches to new-crop

Forage trader Feed Central, which inspected about 300,000 tonnes of hay in the past year,has predicted a dramatic downturn from the record fodder prices seen over the past two years. Source: Beef Central Slow season, lower prices coming for fodder industry

Wheat and barley have traded steady to $15 per tonne higher in the past week, with fading hopes for a big early wheat crop in Queensland behind the lift. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Queensland dry lifts prices

Bulk handlers in South and Western Australia are looking for casuals to fill more than 2500 positions in the harvest which is expected to kick off in October. Source: Grain Central SA, WA bulk handlers recruiting for harvest

Values have firmed this week based on South Australia joining Queensland and NSW as a volume buyer of Victorian grain for nearby delivery. Source: Beef Central Feedgrain Focus: Dwindling stocks in south lift prices