Canola yields expected to be halved at Westmere
Western District farmer Graeme McCrow usually cuts about 400 bales of hay. But this year he is cutting 2000.
Cropping
Storms whip through cropping zones
A series of hit-and-miss storms have whipped through farming districts with some farmers stopping the header. While others have completely missed the rain.
GrainCorp’s $268 million earnings
GrainCorp has delivered earnings of $268 million for the 2024 financial year, down from $565 million, citing lower crop volumes.
GrainCorp vote successful
GrainCorp workers have reached an agreement over a pay dispute with the company and have voted on a new Enterprise Agreement.
Waitchie grower’s vegie patch pays dividends on-farm
For Waitchie farmer Carol Fitzpatrick, an organic vegie garden has created benefits for her broader cropping program. Here’s how.
List: Grain and oilseed prices
After a rally, canola prices have dropped from $825/tonne to $806/tonne. Wheat is trading at $342/tonne. See how grain and oilseed prices are tracking.
‘Not witnessed in the Australian bush for generations’
No cabins, no air con, dust and heat – these old headers are set to tackle one more wheat harvest next January.
‘I think people will hedge their bets’
Barley prices have been lacklustre as frost, lack of in-crop rainfall and hail all take a toll on yields.
Victorian harvest gains momentum
Cropping farmers are assessing the early results of harvest. We jumped in the paddock with them to see how the crops are performing so far.
‘I’m reasonably optimistic’
Slugs and disease stood no chance against Tom McDonnell’s preventive measures on his Darraweit Guim farm, as canola and wheat look promising.
How the Talbot family run their thriving cropping enterprise
For Bruce and his wife Heather Talbot clean crops and adaptable rotations are the hallmarks of a successful cropping operation in Western Australia.
‘An impressive number right on the doorstep of harvest’
Frost and hail have knocked canola yield potential around but grain traders say there are some high prices being offered.
Harvest hopes at Wycheproof
Crops at Wycheproof have withstood a dry year better than initially expected. See the early harvest results.
Pulse prices plummet
Prices for pulses have fallen $100 a tonne across the board with growers hoping the market stabilises during harvest. See what it means for growers.
White gold in a field of green
A massive lift in efficiency sits hand-in-hand with better outcomes for the environment at this Queensland irrigated cotton operation.
GrainCorp workers prepared to intensify industrial action
Negotiations between the AWU and GrainCorp have stalled, with union delegates to discuss further industrial action at a meeting on Monday.
Workers putting their hands up for harvest
Sourcing harvest workers has been easier for farmers this year who say they have been able to find header and chaser bin drivers and retain employees.
‘We would be happy not to see rain from now on’
Dennis and Adrian Perry’s specialist crop of wheat reached shoulder height before being cut for chaff.
Crop losses: ‘It’s been a double whammy’
Widespread frost and hail has left farmers in southern NSW and Victoria counting the cost of the damage.
Northern NSW on cusp of record harvest
Harvest of winter crops in northern NSW is shaping up to be a bin buster for farmers who escaped the weather challenges further south.
Harvest hopes for Western Australia
Forecasts show Western Australia could harvest a bigger crop than anticipated and Wickepin farmer Gary Lang said he wasn’t surprised by the turnaround.
Hay supplies rise following post-frost cut
Fodder stocks have begun flowing into the market after many farmers chose to cut damaged crops for hay. These are the latest prices.
Frost, hail prompts multi-peril crop insurance calls
Farmers are discussing options for multi-peril crop insurance after crops were wiped out in the Wimmera during a hail storm.
Assessing yield potential with just a phone and a ruler
The outcomes for a tough cropping season could be known before harvest thanks to an assessment that uses just a phone and a ruler.
Victoria’s first grain harvest
Mallee grain grower Sam Wright’s gamble of planting his barley crop early has paid off. But now the rain has brought harvest to a halt.
Canola prices hit two-year high
Canola prices have started to climb following severe damage to the crop from recent frosts but farmers say it won’t mitigate low yields.
Cost of the frost hits tens of millions
As farmers battle with crop losses from the frost one grower has shared “it’s the brutality of it all to think that the crops looked so good”.
‘You can see the season is starting to close in’
Harvest could be weeks early at the Lewis family’s farm at Werneth, as the season starts to ‘close in’.
Wheat projections labelled ‘optimistic’
The latest figures from the USDA show a slight uptick in expected yields from Australia’s wheat crop. But farmers say the figures are optimistic.
Grain handlers could walk off job
Grain handlers at Graincorp sites across NSW could refuse to load or unload grain, just as harvest is about to get underway.
Variability the key for ex-tomato grower
A former tomato grower in a previous life, Gerard Ryan is now enjoying the variability of mixed farming at his property about 10km south of Echuca.
Quipolly crop judge wins top honours
A Quipolly rural science student has won the national young crop judging competition at Melbourne Royal Show.
How the frost will impact harvest and prices
Frost damage is expected to wipe a large tonnage off the balance sheet but there is still the large crop in the north of NSW to consider.
Frost expected to cost millions in lost revenue
Hit-and-miss frost across southern NSW and Victoria has farmers watching and waiting to see how the grain and hay markets react.
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