This past week has seen much of the East Coast return to its' usual December programming - warm and sunny - a welcome reprieve for those looking to complete winter crop harvest, along with summer croppers who recently became involved in aquaponics.

Harvest has commenced in most parts of New South Wales as we approach the end of November and while there was some good progress made early on,

With the Queensland cousins making a start to harvest proceedings these past few weeks, in between bouts of wild weather, New South Wales patiently waits for the crop to come in, albeit slowly given the gentle finishing conditions. 

As we move towards the end of September, one of the most important growing months for Australia's winter crop, we can almost see the finish line. Back-to-back 30 million tonne wheat crops have been on the cards for much of the year and with New South Wales experiencing a cool and wettish September, only a hot and frosty finish will spoil the party. 

Australian grain and oilseed producers continue to have one eye on the weather map, the other on the bidsheets, as prices that were considered “aspirational” only a few short weeks ago are being achieved just as the bureau adds some welcome colour to the forecast for much of the East Coast.

With July almost in the books and weather continuing to be cold, rainy and windy across most of the cropping regions of Australia, conditions couldn't be better as we approach spring...

One consideration that must be made this year, is how are we going to store the predicted large production of grain across Australia this season.

As expected, the production figures for the 2020-21 harvest and prospects for the 2021-2022 harvest are forecast at well above average, however worth noting this is not without regional variation.

Farmers marketing their grain will need look at the global picture to understand where the risk and reward may be. With the most recent World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released, it may pay to keep an eye on global supply and demand.

As we approach the end of April with rain gauges devoid of the desired monthly rainfall the New South Wales farmer continues to sow the crop, with one eye on the forecast and the other on a volatile grain market providing an entertaining distraction.

March has been eventful for NSW with floods and large rainfalls stretching through much of the cropping belt.  Whilst it may negatively impact a few farms with summer programs, most farmers are rejoicing and rethinking their winter cropping plans.

The past week has seen some handy rainfall totals down the East Coast, with Queensland and Northern New South Wales the primary benefactors. Those with later Summer crops planted, especially in northern areas and into the Liverpool Plains, are now all but assured of an above average result.

Last week we saw the Grains Industry of Western Australia (GIWA) release their 2020 final crop production estimates which across all zones and commodities was pegged at 16.63 million metric tonnes. The result was considered exceptional given the state received well below average rainfall for the growing season.

With harvest now over, and as people have had a bit of time to let the dust settle, the attention has moved to marketing unsold grain and getting ready for season 2021/22.

With a monster east coast harvest done and dusted and grain in the bin and the Christmas holiday period behind us, growers will likely start looking at marketing the next chunk of their crop.

With the 2020 harvest quickly drawing to a close, the surprises for the year have kept coming, albeit this time for most its certainly been an agreeable one with yields undoubtedly better than expected in most cases. 

Cargill Australia (Newcastle Facility) has been recognised as a leader in water management and efficiency by the Hunter Business Chamber at its recent 2020 business awards.

Due to a number factors, Europe has become the prime importer of Australian canola buying up to 80% of our exports at times...

A very eventful week or so in grain markets as harvest progresses rapidly with a string of clear days through most regions. Cool overnight temperatures throughout much of New South Wales has probably stemmed what should have been the biggest days of harvest to date...