Melbourne sold in isolation on Tuesday, due to Friday’s public holiday. The market opened with discounts and prices continued to fall as the sale progressed. Sydney and Fremantle joined in on Wednesday and quickly realised similar
losses before further reductions were felt in all three centres. The Western region was the hardest hit, resulting in the WRI falling by 74 cents for the day. Sydney recorded more losses on the final day, while Fremantle managed to steady. By the end of the series prices had fallen by 50-90 cents, with losses felt across all microns, leaving the NRI 66 cents cheaper at 2,074c/kg.

The skirting market suffered similar corrections, with prices generally falling by 60-80 cents, wools carrying >4% VM were most affected. The crossbreds also lost ground, but not to the same extent with losses generally 20-40 cents cheaper. The oddment sector was the poorest performer for the week, with a limited selection struggling to attract buyer support, leaving prices generally 100 cents off the pace.

Source: AWEX

As the drought continues to tighten its grip on the Parkes Shire, landholders should remain aware of the risk of weed seed spread when buying grain or hay to feed livestock. “Livestock feed can contain numerous weed seeds, and as stockfeed is being transported long distances, it can pose a significant threat to agricultural production and biosecurity with potentially negative impacts for both cropping and pasture enterprises,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Director Infrastructure, Andrew Francis.

To minimise the risk of spreading weed seed, Council advises landholders to follow Plant Health Australia’s Biosecurity Manual for Grain Producers (2017) by taking the following precautions:
* Check the origin of the hay or grain, request a commodity vendor declaration and ask the seller what weeds were present at the time of cutting hay.
* Observe any restrictions on the movement of plant material interstate and within states.
* Check hay for weeds as you feed out: this may alert you to future issues.
* If possible source locally grown feed.
* Feed stock in a designated quarantine paddock: this will limit the area where weed seeds are dispersed for easier monitoring and management after rain. Keep stock in paddock after feeding for sufficient time for them to empty out.
* Feed away from watercourses to reduce risk of weed spread.
* Monitor hay and grain storage areas, paddocks and roadways for new weeds.
* Post rain, identify any new weeds for appropriate control strategies.

The Salvation Army has released resources to help farmers and regional communities. Farmers needing assistance, can call (02) 8757 8088 to book an assessment, or complete an online assistance form at salvos.org.au/drought.
If you would like to donate to help farmers go to salvos.org.au/ruralsupport or donate at Westpac (Salvos or Rotary). All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Cash is preferred to benefit fringe businesses in the affected area also.

The CWA of NSW offers assistance to help meet household expenses for drought affected families up to a maximum of $3,000 per family/household. Expenses can include grocery bills, vehicle maintenance, school fees, electricity, rates, telephone, dental and medical (gap payments or cost of travel to access treatment) etc. To access drought aid grants contact drought@cwaofnsw.org.au or (02) 8337 0210. The information provided will remain confidential.

To discover if you are in an “intense drought” or “drought” area according to the DPI Combined Drought Indicator go to https://edis.dpi.nsw.gov.au For those who wish to donate, go to https://www.cwaofnsw.org.au/donate and select Disaster Relief Fund from the Donate To drop down menu.

Vinnies has launched a state-wide fundraising campaign for NSW Drought Assistance to help farmers affected. To find out more call 6862 5758 or email wcfsvdp@vinnies.org.au All queries will remain in complete confidence.

Information on all current drought funding and farm assistance packages is available at the NSW Government Drought Hub with information on services and support to prepare for and manage drought conditions. Visit www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 678 593.

The hub has information on the following: Farm Innovation Fund; Drought Assistance Fund; Transport Costs for Donated Fodder; Animal Welfare Transport Subsidy; Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program; Rural Financial Counselling Service; NSW Farm Debt Mediation; Farm Household Allowance; Local Land Services; Drought Feed Calculator; NSW Rural Resilience Program; Farm Management Deposits; Drought Loans; and Don’t Self-Assess.

Thursday’s Melbourne sale was postponed by one day, due to a warehouse fire near the selling facility, making it one of only three Friday sales in the history of AWEX (since 1995).

The market increased progressively over the series, resulting in rises of 10-50 cents for Merino types, leaving the NRI 28 cents dearer for the week.

The designated Superfine sale in Sydney saw significant premiums being paid for Spinners styles and high nkt types in the ultrafine range.

Merino Skirtings were in similar demand, particularly the well-classed better types with low vm and good length. The smallest Crossbred catalogue for the season saw prices firm by around 10 cents over the three days. Merino Carding types also added to their recent gains with further rises this week. Improvements of 40-60 cents pushed all three Merino Carding Indicators into record territory, beating the previous benchmark made in January.

Source:AWEX

The NSW Government has improved access for heavy vehicles carrying supplies and stock to drought-affected areas. The new NSW Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice will: allow eligible vehicles transporting hay to travel under notice and without a permit, including B-doubles up to 26 metres long; up to 2.83 metres wide on all approved roads; up to 4.6 metres high, on the approved 4.6 metre high network; on a case-by-case basis, allow
access permits for road trains on roads not currently approved for road trains; on a case-by-case basis, provide access permits for trucks transporting loads of hay in excess of 4.6 metres high; refund or waive National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and Roads and Maritime permit fees for drought relief applications; a dedicated hotline (1800 952
292) and website (www.rms.nsw.gov.au/drought-freight) for questions.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced an additional $500 million in emergency funding to help drought-affected farmers on Monday. The announcement came after the government has been criticised, including at last week’s NSW Farmers Annual Conference in Sydney, for not doing enough.

With 99% of the state now in drought, the new support measures respond to the compounding effects of drought and their impact on people, business and communities, and builds on the existing NSW Government Drought Strategy, taking the overall drought response to $1.1 billion.

The Emergency Relief Package includes $190 million for the introduction of transport subsidies of up to $20,000 to help cover the cost of transporting fodder and water. Transport subsidies will be back-dated for expenses incurred since January.

The NSW Government has waived Local Land Services rates, fixed water charges and class-one agricultural vehicle registration costs.

NSW’s Farm Innovation Fund — which helps farmers improve their infrastructure to better deal with weather fluctuations — has also been boosted by $150 million as part of the package. The Premier said the additional funding
would help farmers who had faced an “unforgivably dry winter”.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the package would assist farmers who had been forced to source fodder from interstate as local supplies diminished during a drier than expected winter. The NSW Farmers’ Association welcomed the “generous” package but stressed the importance of it being easily accessible.
Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party Member for Orange, Philip Donato MP responded to the announcement saying:

“Well, it’s about bloody time. I have been calling on this National Liberal Government all year to introduce freight subsidies for our struggling farmers who are enduring the worst drought this century. “It’s better late than never. Thank goodness they are offering up to $20,000 in 50% freight subsidies for each eligible farming business for transport of fodder, water and stock.

As part of the emergency funding, farmers will also be eligible for waivers on Local Land Services annual rates, fixed charges on water licences, registration costs for class-one agricultural vehicles, and interest on existing Farm Innovation Fund loans.

The package also includes funding for counselling and mental health services, drought-related road upgrades and animal welfare and stock disposal. The NSW Rural Assistance Authority will begin processing applications from Monday.

Below average rainfall since April 2017 has been exacerbated by warm, dry weather, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. September 2017 was the driest September on record. The three-month outlook to October does not look much better for farmers, with more warm and dry conditions predicted. Parts of NSW already experience less than one per cent soil moisture content. (Sources: ABC Rural, News.com.au and own reporting)

With all three centres in operation for the last sale of the season 31,784 bales were on offer. Some of the heat left the market on the back of the larger offering (compared to recent sales) and the notable gains made in recent weeks. The correction left the NRI 22 cents cheaper, closing at 2056, however despite the reduction, the NRI rose 489 cents (31%) for the season, which is the largest seasonal increase since 2011.

The finer microns were the hardest hit, resulting in 18.5 micron and finer generally falling by 20-40 cents. 19.5 to 20 microns were less affected, closing 10-20 cents easier, while a limited offering of 21 micron and broader managed to post increases of 5-10 cents, pushing the 21 MPG further into record territory.

The crossbred sector lost 5-20 cents, with 30 micron and broader less affected, while the limited supply of oddments was also slightly easier.

43,232 bales are rostered for the first sale of the 2018/19 season (as sellers wanting to sell into the new financial year enter the market).
Source: AWEX