HARVEST in the Riverina is all over for another season.

Growers with warehoused stocks have been generally quiet leading up to and over the Christmas/New Year break, awaiting spikes in the market.

Harvest was quite stop-start for many of the later sown crops as most early crops were harvested before any rain events. Harvest was due to finish 2 weeks ahead of other years but with rain it was quickly brought back into line with normal years. Late wheat was downgraded due to the rain and falling numbers machines were brought into sample stands.

As the grain was coming into the silos, 50 per cent was sold to the cash price and 50 per cent was warehoused with much grain again stored on farm.  Many took advantage of No Price Established contracts, where growers were able to lock in 15, 35 or 65 per cent of the price and have until August 31 this year to lock in the remaining price. 

Advantages include being able to capture possible price rises whilst gaining cash at harvest time and avoid warehouse fees. These contracts are available for wheat, barley and canola.

Prices of late climbed to $238 Port Kembla APW1 Multigrade wheat growers took advantage of this spike, reaching many price targets.

A local physic predicts wheat prices to fluctuate and then increase as the year goes on, whether we believe and take any notice of predictions like this, it is refreshing to hear some good news for cropping farmers, lets just hope the season is kind to all as well.

The Riverina last summer missed out on any fallow rain, which resulted in a decrease in canola plantings. This season farmers will be looking forward to a change of events and the heavens to open although this is not looking likely at the moment as temperatures rise above 40 degrees for the coming week.

While growers are still concentrating on selling their 2009-10 season crop, they are also busily working out their 2010-11 season rotations and the like.

Once again we are able to offer hectare contracts for our specialty High Oleic Canola and Soft Wheat. Growers will receive a premium for growing High Oleic Canola this year.

Many received a Christmas present in 50mm of rain on Christmas day, which will obviously be of huge benefit to soil moisture levels.

This recent rain has farmers out busily spraying weeds to conserve moisture with planting generally beginning around ANZAC day.

For any questions on any of the above material please contact your local AGA office and we wish farmers all the best for their 2010 cropping year.