Russia running hot and cold
You have to hand it to the Russians; they are a resilient mob. I had started to write a story back in May about how drought, frost, labour, and parts shortages were about to combine and smash their next grain harvest but luckily, I didn’t, as my predictions would have been way off the mark. As it turns out, despite what all the global grain experts said at the time, about Russia facing a difficult year, it seems they are on track for another big crop.
Genetics and AI approaches to power-up pulses: GRDC
Chickpea, lentil and faba bean growers across Australia can expect significantly more productive crops within the next decade thanks to a new collaborative, international research project to improve crop yields ... Project leader Professor Rajeev Varshney FRS ... said chickpea, lentil and faba bean production is currently hamstrung due to limited genetic diversity, resulting in meagre yield improvement of less than 0.5 per cent each year.
Rural Commodities Index lifts again as wheat prices rally: NAB
The NAB Rural Commodities Index* has continued its upwards momentum, increasing 1.4 per cent month-on-month in May, driven by rising prices for wheat, barley, canola and lamb. The Index is now around levels last seen in February 2023, according to NAB’s June Rural Commodities Wrap released today.
New BCG”ˆpodcast shares farm tech solutions
BCG is on a mission to bring the latest in agricultural technology to farmers across the Wimmera, Mallee and North Central,” said BCG’s Communications and Engagement Officer Jess Bidstrup.
Rice vesting to end
Australia’s last commodity single desk, rice vesting is set to end on July 1, 2025 after a recent announcement by the NSW Government. The rice vesting arrangements were established in response to grower preferences around the marketing of their rice in the 1920s, and have contributed to the development of a vertically-integrated industry with significant grower influence ... The Government claims that under the future arrangements, growers will be afforded greater choice and flexibility to pursue a range of markets, including export markets, and that it will also benefit the long-term sustainability of the industry in the face of lower water availability and a more variable climate.
Rain brings hope to farmers
Christine Webster. Lowbank farmer David Schmidt is feeling more optimistic about the grain growing season after the end of a dry spell spanning more than four months. Some rain finally arrived in the region on Thursday and more showers fell on Friday ... “You would not classify it as an official break in the season,” Mr Schmidt said.
GPA cautious on new crop forecasts: Grain Producers Australia
Grain Producers Australia welcomes the latest crop production forecasts with cautious optimism ... GPA Chair, Barry Large, said the ABARES winter crop forecasts were based on above average summer rainfall and timely autumn rainfall that continued to improve soil moisture profiles in Queensland and northern and central NSW. But he said autumn rainfall has been lower than average across major cropping regions ...
Australia’s winter crop planting up, but production to hang on La Niña – Rabobank
Australia’s farmers are expected to plant 23.55 million hectares to winter crops this year – up more than three per cent on 2023 – despite a mixed start to the season across the country, Rabobank says in its 2024/25 Australian Winter Crop Outlook ... This year’s winter crop planting – representing a 3.6 per cent increase on 2023/24 though down 1.8 per cent on the five-year average...
To inform decision-making for Southern growers – New farming systems project
A new farming systems project is set to shed light on how farm management decisions affect profitability and sustainability to help southern region grain growers understand the upside and downside of their decisions. The five-year project involves nine field sites … covering different soil types and rainfall zones in South Australia and Victoria, as well as biophysical modelling and economic evaluation.
Wheat prices drive up Rural Commodities Index: NAB
An increase in wheat prices helped lift the NAB Rural Commodities Index* by 3.2 per cent month-on-month in April, after the Index slipped 5.7 per cent month-on-month in March. NAB’s May Rural Commodities Wrap released today reports the Index is now around levels seen in April 2023.
Dry seeding pushes on: GPA
Seeding is underway for most Australian grain producers with many in parts of western and southern Australia reducing their canola plantings as they continue to wait for a proper season break in the absence of any rain. The longer growing season required by canola had many growers pinning their hopes on an April break according to Grain Producers Australia Chair Barry Large.
Federal budget a missed opportunity: GrainGrowers
The federal budget is another missed opportunity to increase regional support through targeted agricultural investments directed at boosting the long-term profitability of grain farming communities. GrainGrowers Chair Rhys Turton said while the budget delivers some positive initiatives, rural industry was looking for a “cost of production” budget to address some of the underlying pressures now being felt across the rural sector.
Satake Corporation expands
In a strategic move set to reshape the landscape of Australia’s agricultural sector, Satake Corporation, owners of Denny’s Silos and Engineering, has announced its acquisition of the silo division from DE Engineers. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the evolution of both companies, promising to inject fresh vigor into the realm of grain storage and handling.
Timely message from BCG seeder day: “Understand the fundamentals”
Operating an 80 tyne-double chute bar, machinery expert Brett Asphar always keeps 160 buckets in his ute during sowing to check whether the seeder is distributing seed evenly. Asphar was a keynote speaker at BCG’s Seeder Demonstration Day at Murra Warra, where he explained to the 80 plus attendees why he is so dedicated to even seed distribution.
High mouse activity reported in several regions vigilance advised: GRDC
GRDC and CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, are urging growers and advisers to be vigilant due to reports of moderate to high mouse activity in several regions across Australia … the areas with moderate to high mouse activity include parts of the north Adelaide Plains, Victorian Mallee and Wimmera, pockets of Queensland's Darling Downs, and the Central Eastern Wheatbelt of Western Australia.
GrainGrowers calls for immediate action on biosecurity protection levy
Industry body GrainGrowers has called on the Federal Government to take immediate action to resolve a range of outstanding issues related to the introduction of the Biosecurity Protection Levy. In its submission to the Senate inquiry examining the issue, GrainGrowers detailed its position, calling for the government to address the following matters in relation to the creation of the biosecurity protection levy...
Biosecurity tax still fails fairness and equity tests: GPA
Under the Federal Government’s new Biosecurity Tax, Australian grain producers are being forced to pay 10 times more than the existing biosecurity levies that they already contribute towards emergency responses and other proactive initiatives, investments and partnerships. These levies are established by growers themselves and hypothecated for specific purposes.
Around the paddock
Farmers across the district are gearing up for the cropping season which is fast approaching. Brett Jewell said, "We are busy preparing for sowing, with a few internal fences being removed, gypsum to spread, some seed still to clean, a couple of stubble to burn, and some maintenance to be done on the sprayer and airseeder.
APVMA review a welcome opportunity: GrainGrowers
The government’s response to the Matthews Review into the governance of the AVPMA is a welcome opportunity to ensure the regulator can operate in the best interests of Australian agriculture. GrainGrowers CEO, Shona Gawel said the report was an important step in maintaining our strong, independent, evidence-based regulatory system.
A superfood renaissance down under: AgriFutures Australia announces new research plan for the quinoa industry
Known for its ancient origins and impressive nutritional profile, quinoa has not only captured the attention of health-conscious consumers globally, but also some entrepreneurial Australian farmers. Quinoa fuelled ancient Andean civilisations in South America for more than 7,000 years … along with high protein levels and essential amino acids has earned it the “superfood” title.
“Weighting” their weighbridge turn
Day after day they come from all around the district, their destination being the weighbridge south of the Donald township. This was the view from above on Tuesday morning.
Rural Commodities Index continues its steady climb north: NAB
Rising prices for a range of rural commodities including cattle, cotton and dairy have seen the NAB Rural Commodities Index* increase for the fourth month in a row. NAB’s March Rural Commodities Wrap ... reports the Index increased 2.2 per cent month-on-month in February and is back up around levels last seen in April 2023.
