With torrential rain followed by the extreme heat conditions last week, it has proved quite difficult for harvest to continue. This week has seen a flurry of activity with canola being harvested and also the wheat starting to come in. In addition, there has been a lot of hay baling taking place. With this comes the reminder to ensure that you have adequate protection for your hay and crops in terms of insurance.
There have also been a number of storms around with lightning strikes so it is important to be vigilant. Mark Brown, Canowindra Produce said that they are receiving canola and monola for MSM Milling. In addition, they are storing canola for farmers and buying wheat for other parties.
Commercial Manager for MSM Milling, Stewart Kidd said “The price for canola leading up to harvest strengthened a bit, as quite a few of the crushing plants, including Manildra had run out of stock, and were short on canola, so this drove the price above export parity.” Since harvest has started, the price has come back in line with export parity. Depending on cash flow for farmers, they can elect to store it or alternatively sell what they need to cover harvest expenses. Ideally, the price may strengthen in the New Year, after harvest has finished.
Local farmer David Harrison, who has planted both canola and wheat, said that he was pleased with the oil content of the canola which they have been harvesting. “In view of the way the weather has played out, the yield has been quite pleasing,” said David. “Overall we have gone about .85 to .9 to the acre. We started harvesting wheat on Monday and once again very happy with the wheat yield, however some screenings have smaller grain, albeit with good protein.”
Paul Breen, KMWL agent said that on Tuesday there were 1735 cattle yarded.
Numbers dropped and the market as expected improved. Prime yearlings were 4 to 7c a kilo dearer and feeder types were as much as 15c better. Heavy steer’s prices rose by 5 to 8c and cows sold 3 to 4c dearer compared to last week’s sale.
Cow calf units made up to 2,600 at Goulburn which is a pretty good indication
that there is a lot of confidence in the cattle market, looking forward into next year when we can expect to find a shortage of restocking cattle.