Farmers opt to sell directly from the header

Farmers expect wheat prices to slightly soften as this year’s harvest progresses, but for now, it’s a chance to sell directly from the header.

The metrics of Australia’s 2023 wheat harvest will likely have farmers confident enough to sell their crop directly from the header.

In previous years, there has been some bouncing around of markets and uncertainty. However, growers are looking forward to decent prices and yields.

So far, a total of 798,000 tonnes of grain (not just wheat) has flowed through the GrainCorp receival depots, with northern NSW leading the charge.

From that total, 372,000 tonnes have been delivered in the past week, and prices for wheat are sitting at $499 a tonne compared to $445 a tonne this time last year.

Despite uncertainty overseas and the instability in markets generated by the Israel conflict, those in the industry believe domestic trade will be integral this year.

Grain Producers Australia southern region director Andrew Weidemann. Picture: Supplied

Grain Producers Australia southern region director Andrew Weidemann said the Australian wheat price was currently around $80 to $90 a tonne above world parity.

However, he expected prices to soften slightly in the coming weeks.

“We are looking at a reasonable harvest at the moment; it is just a matter of how it plays out by the time it gets to Victoria,” he said.

Mr Weidemann said NSW was in a unique situation because so much grain was consumed domestically, and that would help to set the price tone this year.

He also tipped the Victorian wheat contribution to be significant, with estimates at around 6 million tonnes for harvest this year.

Ben Langtry, who farms at Marrar in southern NSW, said he was starting to harvest canola this week and would commence wheat during the third week of November.

“The wheat looks very attractive, and I think we will be selling it straight off the header, given the prices this year,” he said.

Mr Langry said he was anticipating to receive about $370 a tonne for the wheat.

“The prices will probably tip a bit because they often do as harvest progresses, but I’m hoping it will come back shortly after that,” he said.

Mr Langtry said the wheat looked fantastic, and another shower of rain would help to boost the outcomes further.

“I’m hoping our wheat will yield 4.5 tonnes/ha,” he said.