THE Victorian harvest is now under way, with a distinct lack of trucking activity on local roads to silo.

A high percentage of the northern Wimmera barley crop is close to completion, with mostly lower quality grain harvested, ranging from Feed 1 to Feed 3.  

Most growers are electing to either store on farm or warehouse this grain, given the current low values that marketers are offering. 

Southern Wimmera and Western District barley crops are more hopeful of producing malting quality, which has a record price spread between feed and malt barley. 

Weekend rainfall and cool conditions have slowed harvest progress in the Wimmera, with five millimetres recorded.  The Western District recorded 10- 25mm, which will be beneficial for wheat crops that are at grain fill stage.

Canola yields vary dramatically within areas depending on sowing dates, soil type, sowing method, and thunderstorm activity.

Yield reports from the Northern Wimmera range from failed to 0.4mt/ha, with southern crops looking more promising, and yet to be harvested. 

Oil results range from 35-38 per cent, which is disappointing, but expected given the exposure to frost and moisture stress that crops have endured.  The Western District also suffered severe frosts from Ararat to Willaura and Streatham, with some canola crops cut for hay and others left to harvest.  Growers are anticipating yield reduction any where from 10-90 per cent.

A large percentage of Wimmera wheat crops sown on heavy soils have been cut for hay, while others were too light for baling, and simply wilted and died. 

Wheat sown on lighter soils with more favourable rainfall is ripening and will be harvested in the coming weeks. A few barley crops were cut for hay, however most crops were not heavy enough to warrant baling therefore were left to harvest. 

Many lentil crops were desiccated to allow harvesting as early as possible, with yields reported at 0.2 -0.6mt/ha.  Lentil contract prices were quoted pre harvest at $1,150/mt, however current values are closer to $900/mt delivered local packer.

Farming is proving to be a testing occupation for Wimmera Mallee farmers with survival becoming a predominant factor in farm planning than ever before. Marketing has become more difficult, particularly as farmers refuse to sell grain below the cost of production, with some growers targeting $240 ex-farm for feed barley.

World supply of feed barley and a record sorghum crop in Northern Australia are placing downward pressure feed grains. 

Further rain in QLD and northern NSW will see wheat downgraded to feed, adding further pressure to the feed grains market.

Traders have been reluctant to post cash prices due to downward price pressure on markets, and the volatility in world financial markets. 

This inconsistency in pricing availability at sites will possibly continue throughout the harvest period, placing pressure on sellers to be fully aware of all their marketing options.  There are a range of options available to consider when marketing your grain this season.  These include contract prices, cash prices, pools, delivered buyer contracts and No Price Established contracts.