WHEAT growers who used AWB's harvest finance option for this season's pools received $40 million in top-up payments last week.

AWB's Jon White said the payments ranged from $13 a tonne to $75/tonne, depending on the grade.

The company said the payments meant farmers opting for the AWB loan had access to a credit limit equal to 82.5 per cent of current estimated pool returns less costs.

"Our initial harvest payments on delivery were based on our nominated estimated pool return that was set in November, however since that time pool estimates for many grades have increased, so we are passing this value to farmers through this top-up," Mr White said.

Rise in China corn imports

CHINA'S imports of corn are expected to increase to 15 million tonnes within five years to meet its domestic shortfall of animal feed, according to the US Grains Council.

In last year's annual report, now available online for the first time at usgcannualreport.org, the grains council profiles several world markets, including China.

The USGC said China was reaching domestic grain production capacity.

It said China began importing distillers dried grains with solubles in 2009, taking 98,000 tonnes that year, but rapidly increased that to 2.2 million tonnes the following year.

Rice field day topics

CROP establishment issues and nitrogen fertilisation are some of the topics for discussion at the annual Ricegrowers Association of Australia field day near Jerilderie next month.

The field day will be held at Rice Research Australia's farm at Old Coree, west of Jerilderie from 9.30am to 5pm on Thursday, March 1.

For more details, phone Andrew Bomm at RGA on (02) 6953 0433 or Kieran O'Keeffe, of the NSW Department of Primary Industries, on (02) 6960 1319.