‘Barley can go up as much as it likes’: Growers look for silver lining
Barley prices are climbing as feed demand heats up, but patchy crops need rain fast — farmers are now watching the sky to turn good prices into real profit.
Cropping
‘I’m pretty sure I sowed it’: Patchy crops pose challenges
Patchy emergence is challenging growers after dry sowing, who are now hoping for late-season rain. See how Mallee crops are faring.
Urea prices jump $60 a tonne due to Middle East conflict
Urea prices are up $60 a tonne amid Middle East tensions and rising demand. Here’s what it means for farmers ahead of winter.
Russia’s wheat crop falls to 11-year low
Grain exports in Russia are forecast to hit a low due to drought conditions. See what it means for output.
Grain growers call for levy review as GRDC reserves climb
There is growing discontent within the grains industry that the Grains Research and Development Corporation is amassing a large cash reserve kept within Treasury coffers.
Australia’s wheat exports tipped to rise 26 per cent
Australia’s wheat exports are forecast to rise to 25 million tonnes in 2024-25. What does it mean for farmers?
Western Australia’s winter crop revised after rain
Western Australia’s winter crop has increased to 9 million hectare after recent rain, with one farmer saying “the timing was perfect.”
Gippsland farmer uses maize pit as drought strategy
Faced with dry conditions and rising fodder costs, Luke Stuckey says a maize pit is paying off for his cattle farming enterprise.
Farmers face tough late-sowing decision
Farmers are weighing up whether to late sow or re-sow winter crops with up to 20mm of rain forecast for some parts.
Barley narrows gap on wheat as drought drives market
Wheat and barley prices in Victoria are nearing parity, with just a $6 gap, as drought conditions shift. See what’s driving decisions.
Lentil boom: Victorian plantings surge on the back of good prices
Lentil plantings in Victoria are tipped to reach record levels with growers favouring the resilient crop backed by strong prices. See the details.
Resowing on the table as rain offers hope
Victorian farmers have started resowing winter crops, or are considering their options ahead of forecast rain this weekend.
‘We might get 15mm in the next week if we are lucky’
After a dry autumn at Cosegrove, Allan Shields remains optimistic that late-season rain will boost his canola, wheat, barley and faba bean crops.
Aussie almond producer reports significant turnaround
Select Harvests Limited has reported a big swing in its half yearly results, and is well placed to capitalise on the current environment, chief executive David Surveyor says.
‘No certainty of drought premiums’
Farmers say they are not seeing any signs of drought premiums for their grain despite the dry conditions.
Tasmania’s poppy crop set to expand to more than 9000ha
Tasmania’s poppy crop will expand by more than 40 per cent on last season in 2025-26, boosted by higher prices and new grower incentives. See how the season is shaping up.
New-crop canola prices hit $820 a tonne but farmers hold back
New-crop canola prices have surged, but dry conditions and production risks have growers saying they are reluctant to sell.
Canola prices lift by $40 a tonne due to global tensions
Victorian canola prices have surged $40 to $840 a tonne, driven by Middle East conflict and a US biofuel mandate, while barley, wheat and lupin prices ease. See how grain and oil seed commodities are tracking.
Cotton picking wraps up
Cotton picking has seen a divide between northern growers and those in the south, with penalties for rain affected bales.
Canola crops face patchy start
The dry conditions have taken a toll on early sown crops. While some have come through almost unscathed others are showing the effects of staggered germination.
Rutherglen farmer welcomes rain
Andrew Russell says 23mm of rain will boost crop germination and pasture growth on his Rutherlen property. But he was acutely aware many others are not so fortunate.
Dry weather drives feed grain prices up
Dry seasonal conditions are pushing feed grain prices higher, creating challenges for livestock producers but some opportunities for crop growers.
Dry sowing continues as frosts begin
Farmers in Milawa and the north east continue dry sowing despite little rain and some early frosts.
Riverina rice growers achieve record-breaking yields
Riverina rice growers are hailing 2025 as one of their most successful, with a yield record achieved for the second year running.
Winter crop sowing set to reach record despite dry conditions
Australia is set to sow a 24.5 million hectare winter crop despite tough conditions in parts of the country, but production has been revised down.
GrainCorp delivers $202m half-yearly operating profit
Strong crop volumes, particularly in northern NSW and Queensland, have helped GrainCorp deliver a strong profit. See the latest financials.
Aussie wheat cops dry downgrade
Global wheat production could reach record levels but Australia’s output is expected to take a significant hit. Find out why.
Dry tests farmers from WA to Tassie
Farmers from Western Australia’s wheat belt to Tasmania are facing a dry start to the season with many delaying sowing or waiting for rain.
Pulse prices remaining strong
Lentils, chickpeas and lupins are attracting grower interest not only for their returns but also their rotational value.
Fodder freight costs soar as dry takes hold
Cattle and dairy farmers in Victoria and South Australia face rising fodder and freight costs with hay hitting 2019-levels.
Farmers consider market impacts from the India-Pakistan conflict
Farmers are monitoring the India-Pakistan conflict, assessing potential impacts on the pulse trade and export markets. Here’s what we know.
Mouse pressure hits northern NSW and Queensland crops
Farmers in northern cropping zones have reported mouse damage to newly-sown winter crops, prompting calls for stronger bait.
‘I just got under the storm’
Bears Lagoon farmer Angus White says he was “lucky” and got 50mm in a recent storm but otherwise would have had a dry sub-soil moisture profile.
Grain prices lag as farmers wait for autumn break
Wheat and barley prices are still flat despite a dry start to the season and some cautious optimism about a late break.
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