The week ending 6 September showed domestic delivered markets increase by $20/mt from the 10 days before to finish at ~$375/mt delivered Griffith Market Zone. What we are seeing is a significant premium paid over export parity to maintain the grain supply from Northern Victoria and stop the grain moving to coastal or export markets.
Feed barley continues to trade in a two-tiered market with the farmer-buyers still prepared to pay a $30/mt premium over bids posted at silos.
Summer crop planting is just around the corner and there has been significant interest from growers to plant grit maize this year. Prices have ranged from $450/mt ex-farm to $475/mt and, judging by the level of uptake, these prices seem to be competitive with rice and cotton. Unfortunately, there will be no waxy maize grown this year with Ingredion advising they will shut their mill in Lane Cove in January.
The weather forecast for a hotter, drier spring has forced some growers to cut their crops for hay. The general rule of the last 6 weeks has been that crops north of the Mid-Western Hwy and West of the Newell are struggling or non-existent. There is a healthy strip from Hillston down to Goolgowi and then further to the Vic border. However, a rainfall event before the end of September will be crucial in maintaining the SNSW crop.
YPG sites in Yenda and Coleambally will be receiving malt barley and hard wheat.
If anyone has grown Spitfire or Lancer wheat, and for all other grain queries, please get in touch with Luke Mancini on 0437 512 322.