Finance access dries up for regional producers
Sebastian Calderon. A local finance expert says drought-induced debt, combined with tightening lender risk appetites, are making it increasingly difficult for growers to access the finance needed to keep their businesses running … recent Grain Producers SA (GPSA) survey revealed that one-in-two South Australian grain producers are currently facing difficulties accessing finance or credit during the drought.
Time of sowing trials equip WA growers to adapt to variable seasons: GRDC
Western Australian grain growers are set to benefit from a series of targeted projects focused on time of sowing in response to increasing seasonal variability. Delivered through the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC) National Grower Network (NGN), the local projects are designed to support growers in making more informed sowing decisions...
Grains and oilseeds trade continues to grow, despite global upheaval – Rabobank World Map
The global grains and oilseeds trade continues to grow steadily and reached around 880 million metric tons in 2023/24, with an estimated value of USD 330 billion, according to Rabobank’s just-published global grains and oilseeds world map.
In Ukraine, the weather has deceived farmers and nature
Climate change has such a large negative impact on Ukrainian agriculture that it affects the country's macroeconomic indicators ... Farmers from all regions of Ukraine have sown 5.5 million hectares of spring grain and leguminous crops ... However, this spring cannot be called ordinary.
Orbost corn popped across globe
In many European countries right now - Spain, France, Hungary and Poland - farmers are just putting the finishing touches on planting their sweet corn. Similar plantings occur in other parts of the world - from South Africa to Chile, Uruguay and New Zealand - at a different time of the year. They have one key thing in common: they source their sweet corn seeds from Snowy River Seeds in Orbost.
Federal drought support falls short, say SA grain producers
Michelle Daw. Grain Producers South Australia says new federal drought support measures will offer limited immediate relief to grain producers facing severe financial pressure across SA.
Cargill Cares: Birchip Leisure Centre benefits
The Birchip Community Leisure Centre (BCLC) is celebrating a significant boost thanks to the generous support of Cargill Cares, which has donated $25,000 to help fund the installation of a new and much-needed coolroom. The coolroom will be a game-changer for the centre, improving food storage and service capacity for the many community events...
Investments target ‘new normal’ of mouse activity: GRDC
The ongoing threat of mouse activity to Australian grain growers is the focus of two key investments aimed at reducing the impact of mice in crops ... While advancements in farming systems have resulted in tremendous benefits, they have also inadvertently contributed to increasing the pest problem.
Australia heading towards record-high winter crop planting: Rabobank
Australia’s farmers are heading towards a record-high winter crop planting this year, Rabobank says in its newly-released 2025/26 Australian Winter Crop Outlook. The annual outlook, by the agribusiness banking specialist’s RaboResearch division, says the nation’s grain growers are expected to plant an estimated 24.5 million hectares of winter crop this year, up 0.8 per cent on last season.
Seedling survival in marginal moisture
The practice of dry sowing has become increasingly common with frequent years of below average rainfall in the sowing season. Dry sowing, where crops are sown into a dry seed bed before season breaking rainfall, has helped farmers decrease production risk and manage workload.
Australian pulse exports may face “minor global headwinds” –industry outlook: Rabobank
Australia’s pulse exports – comprising chickpeas, beans, lentils, lupins and peas – may face minor headwinds in the year ahead due to changes in global supply and demand, Rabobank says in a newly-released report. The food and agribusiness banking specialist says the most likely impacts on farmgate prices and export margins for pulses will stem from currency volatility and shipping costs.
Snail and slug baiting methods
A research project is under way to aid Australian grain growers to manage snail and slug damage in crops by optimising bait spreading operations. Snails and slugs cause substantial crop damage and impose costs on the Australian grains industry estimated at $43 million annually.
Food Security Green Paper a wake-up call: GrainGrowers
The National Food Security Green Paper released ... by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute is a wake-up call and highlights Australia’s critical food security challenges, industry body GrainGrowers said...
RaboResearch commentary: ‘Liberation Day’ US tariffs and Australia’s agricultural exports
April 2 was ‘Liberation Day’ in the USA and Donald Trump has announced his promised reciprocal tariffs on trading partners. There is a baseline minimum tariff rate of 10 per cent for all countries except Canada and Mexico (who have been affected by previous tariff announcements).
Hay Grains changes hands
Hay Grains storage facility in east Hay has changed hands, after JEK Rural Investments purchased the depot. Deniliquin-based Paul and Jenny Fellows have owned the business for the past seven years and say they have enjoyed their time as part of the business community.
Budget is vanilla ice cream for the bush: GrainGrowers
The budget delivered ... is like a single, small scoop of vanilla ice cream for the bush – predictable and lacking the flavour to truly satisfy regional Australia, industry body GrainGrowers said ... it had missed the opportunity to deliver on a range of regional investment opportunities that would strengthen grain-growing regions and bridge the gap between urban centres and the bush.
Growers warned of increased mouse activity: GRDC
Grain growers are advised to remain vigilant by monitoring mouse numbers locally in the lead up to sowing. The latest meeting of the National Mouse Group (NMG) heard reports of moderate to high mouse activity from the Darling Downs and Roma in Queensland, parts of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and parts of Western Australia.
Growing South/South-East Asia populations unlock opportunities for Australian grains and oilseeds: Rabobank
Larger and wealthier populations in South and South-East Asia are driving food consumption growth and opening opportunities for Australian grain and oilseed exports, according to a new report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.
Get your sunflower fix this Sunday
A property near Clifton is hosting Sunflower Sunday from 10am to 3pm giving visitors the chance for spectacular photographs and to take home their own sunflowers. Sunflower Sunday is a fundraiser for Clifton Community Health Services (CCHS).
Australian barley production expected to grow despite global trade headwinds – Rabobank report
Australian barley production is forecast to lift by eight per cent to deliver 11.7 million tonnes in the 2024/25 season – while facing trade headwinds as Chinese buyers plan to focus on their own domestic market – according to new research from Rabobank.
At BCG Trial Review Day … Focus on fleabane
Farmers will gain valuable insights into summer weed control with a particular focus on fleabane at BCG’s members-only Trials Review Day on February 21, where BCG Research Agronomist Angus Butterfield and ICAN Rural Senior Consultant Mark Congreve will present the latest research and practical management strategies.
Cargill keeps contributing
Once again, the “Cargill Cares Cropping for the Birchip Community” program has come to the rescue of the Birchip Cemetery Trust.
