The global market caught a shock late last week when India announced an abrupt ban on its wheat exports on May 14.

In recent months 'volatile' seems to have been the word of choice to try and describe grain market movements and, given we unfortunately don't appear any closer to a resolution to the crisis in Ukraine, it appears this description is likely to remain popular for some time yet. 

There is no doubt that the most significant influence on today's grains and oilseeds markets is the situation in Ukraine - the unknowns of what will be planted, fertilised, harvested and exported from this important region is creating a nervous trading environment, prone to jumping at shadows. 

The last couple of weeks have seen favourable weather conditions that have enabled growers to make solid progress into their sorghum harvest....

As harvest rolls into its fifth month through parts of New South Wales, growers and traders alike are now turning their attention to the considerable task of executing one of our biggest crops on record. 

The unfortunate reality of the huge wave of grain that has hit the system in this short period of time is the effect it has had on cash markets. 

We were warned it was going to be a wet harvest, but the optimist in us thought - "It'll be right, that's what they said last year." 

Whether you're looking at social media, or more traditional media like you are now, you are no doubt being peppered with harvest pictures, videos and stories. 

For the majority of New South Wales and the country generally, it is looking like an above average harvest and despite the challenges for many in securing staff, this is fantastic for regional Australia. Big crops bring so much activity, employment and economic benefit to our country towns which in these challenging times, is a very welcome positive.

In grain market wires it has been wheat and canola that have been hogging the headlines of late, however barley markets are also starting to attract some attention providing good news for growers of Australia's second largest winter crop. 

It's been a couple of months of proper winter with cold, wet and windy weather and hasn't it been delightful...

As we see off the month of June and for most people, the end of sowing, the BOM reports that last month produced above average to very much above average rainfall for a large part of the New South Wales cropping belt. Undoubtedly there are some that would appreciate a top up, however the general consensus is that a few days of dry weather would be a welcome break. 

So much of 2021 is yet to unfold, including the all-important spring, however recent rains have the New South Wales crop starting to resemble that of 2020.  Unfortunately the same cannot be said for some other parts of the country.

As we progress through the month of May, the absence of rain continues to concern our friends in Victoria and South Australia who are still waiting for their traditional break to the season. 

...while growers are largely wanting to get the crop established before genuinely engaging the market, it is interesting to understand what is driving Australia’s values at present and whether the influencing factors will be present for the remainder of the season.

The past two months have seen the ports a hive of activity and domestic consumers back in the market, with grain moving rapidly by road and rail into these customers and ports.

The tightness in the global freight market is certainly being felt in supply chains across Australia. Naturally, as the cost of vessels rise, freight rates to move the product also rise and as a result the cost of moving grain and oilseeds from Australia to consumers globally also increases.

There are fears of a winterkill across the US plains where large quantities of wheat may have been affected; this will get a lot of attention now and in the coming months.

A partnership between Cargill and local farmers is providing much needed funding for local facilities and charities.

Cargill has welcomed the arrival of its export mobile ship loader in Port Adelaide, signalling a major new investment for the South Australia agriculture sector.

Before harvest, site supervisor at Cargill’s GrainFlow site at West Wyalong, Alan Cooper,  bought a drone with aerial photography. It turned out to be a canny purchase allowing Alan to capture one of the most memorable harvests in recent memory.

As headers in Central and Southern New South Wales and Victoria continue their efforts to complete harvest ahead of Christmas, growers in the north have largely wrapped up both their harvest and marketing programs for 2020 and are looking up the road to see if 2021 brings with it some fresh opportunity.

Canola harvest is wrapping up quickly through NSW, as harvest rolls south and east at a rate of knots. Growers have enjoyed some great results with big yields and prices remaining firm through harvest.

It has been a quieter week in grain circles, as growers focus their efforts more so on harvesting rather than marketing in the wake of recent price corrections. 

As harvest ramps up across the GrainFlow network we know that a safe and efficient service over harvest is key for our grower customers.