The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) recently conducted a four-day tour through the Central West and southern NSW to gain ‘on the ground’ insight into the current challenges and opportunities facing grain growers.

GRDC Northern Panel Chair John Minogue said the tour had an important advisory and strategic role in helping to guide ongoing and future research investment.

“While many growers and advisers are battling drought conditions most are positive about the long-term future of the grains industry and value the role research plays in ensuring profitability.”

Issues raised by growers, advisers and end-users included: an increased interest in trials with livestock components; why a successful pulse crop is critical for NSW; the impact of increasing biologicals on soil health; future research capacity; heat and drought tolerant crops, particularly triticale and oats; improving the skills of graduate level agronomists; the carbon economy and what it will mean for grain growers; long season canola options; and what’s next in the barley breeding program.

Australians are urged to work with their community, neighbours and friends to prepare for another tough bushfire season.

Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said all parts of Australia were vulnerable because of dry conditions and people shouldn’t be complacent.

NSW authorities have brought forward the Bushfire Danger Period in 12 Local Government Areas two months early because of drought and above average winter temperatures. “Last August we saw homes destroyed in NSW; and again in North Queensland in November when the fire danger rating reached Catastrophic for the first time. Bushfires can strike at any time and we’ve got to be prepared,” the Minister said.

“The Coalition Government has committed more than $6.2 million on the next generation Australian Fire Danger Rating System so we have more accurate and local fire risk messaging.”

“All Australians, especially those in highrisk areas, should have fire plans in place well ahead of time to make sure they and their families are safe. Also when people know their neighbours it saves lives and helps during the recovery.”

“People wanting more information, including on how to plan and prepare, should contact their local fire service.”

Red Cross has tools and resources to help people prepare for disasters, available at www.redcross.org.au

This week’s market continued to decline; however, the losses were not as extreme. By the close of trade the NRI had lost 17 cents to finish at 1521.

Buyers continued to seek out the better style lots, resulting in minimal change for those types. Non-mulesed wool continued to attract strong competition, maintaining a healthy premium over similarly specified wools (as much as 200 cents clean for selected lots). However lesser style wools and those with poor additional measurements, lacked the same demand resulting in general losses of 50- 80 cents.

Oddments also suffered losses this week, with all types and descriptions generally falling by 80-120 cents. Crossbreds were the only sector to record increases, with 26 to 28 micron generally gaining 25-40 cents (it was these gains that prevented the NRI from recording a larger fall).

Despite the general reductions, more sellers were willing to accept the current level, as the national passed in rate reduced to 16.1% (compared to 35.3% the previous week).

Source: AWEX

Moogenilla Angus bulls have been sold to a wide range of areas, including Far North Queensland, South West Queensland and the Northern Territory in 2017 and 2018. Among the local, Western NSW, Tablelands and Eastern Riverina beef breeders, Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC) has been competing to take the Moogenilla Angus bulls north.

Troy Setter, from CPC said the Moogenilla bulls are balanced and well suited to the Northern Australian environment. Moogenilla bulls have also settled into the Mulga country in South West Queensland and the dry plains in Far West NSW, equally with the cold Tablelands and the local mixed farming areas.

‘A tough, adaptable bull with good temperament, growth and carcass is what we’re aiming to provide to the breeders on Friday 2nd August in Forbes’, said Sarah Wrigley, from Moogenilla Angus.

How To Increase Soil Carbon

Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) will be hosting a workshop on Wednesday, 8th May focusing on managing soils for climate and market change.

Guest speakers Guy Webb and Callen Thompson will present the latest information on cover cropping, increasing soil carbon and climatic expectations moving forward.

“This is not only an opportunity for local landholders and interested community members to learn more about the opportunities to increase soil carbon and look at the possibilities to adapt farming systems, but to gain a greater understanding of using these options to increase productivity and profitability,” said Chairperson, Ben Kerin.

Guy Webb is an agronomist with Agriwest in Forbes and the Founding Director of Soil C Quest, a not for profit organisation researching ways to empower farmers to draw down carbon, combining knowledge of microbiology and agricultural systems.

Callen Thompson is a Senior Land Services Officer with Central West Local Land Services heading up the National Landcare Program assisting landholders to adapt their enterprise to meet the changing climatic conditions. This includes matching pasture and crop species and livestock requirements to feedbase capability.

Workshops are in Parkes (12.30pm – 3pm) and Forbes (5pm – 7.30pm) on Wednesday, 8th May. RSVP to Marg on 0418 611 053 or cwllpo@hotmail.com.

Wool Clip Lowest In 100 Years

Australia’s wool clip is forecast to be down to the lowest level in almost 100 years, mainly due to the drought.

The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee has forecast the clip to be down by 12.7% on last year — a drop of 43 million kilograms, and the lowest yield since 1924 when the Australian wool industry was much smaller.

As drought grips many of Australia’s wool growing regions, farmers are destocking to reduce how much they have to spend feeding their animals.

Committee chair Russell Pattinson said: “While there were fewer sheep to shear, the industry was also receiving less wool per sheep. There’s one critical factor and that is the ongoing drought conditions in large parts of Australia’s wool producing regions.”

“We’re looking at a 7% reduction of the sheep shorn and a 4.5% reduction in the average cut per head. Next shearing season is not looking any better, with the committee’s initial forecast for the 2019–2020 period down again, this time by 4.5%.” It’s not just the numbers that are an issue for wool producers and shearers. Michell Wool processes wool at its factory in Adelaide.

Before they can process it, though, they have to clean the dust out of it. But the severity of the drought meant there was not enough ground cover to prevent erosion, meaning a lot more dust in wools.

(Source: ABC News)