July 29, 2013

29/07/13: Extreme weather hampers UK grain crops; CHS invests in Australian grain company; Pakistan imports wheat from India and Russia

Extreme weather in the UK is damaging grain crops reports the Guardian

The summer heatwave have has stopped plants growing and some fields are so dry, fire is a real risk.

But it's the constant changes in weather that is having the greatest impact. Spring 2012 was hot and dry followed by a wet summer in 2012 and now this summer's heatwave. The has made it difficult to get crops established.

More information on the challenges the weather poses to the UK farming industry is explored in this Guardian article.

CHS Inc., the leading farmer-owned business and a global energy, grains and foods company in the USA, has invested in Agfarm, an Australia-based grain origination and marketing company. 

CHS and Ruralco Holdings Limited (Ruralco), Sydney, Australia, will each own 50 percent of Agfarm. The Agfarm name and management structure will not change.  

"CHS is committed to investing for the long term in the Australian market, so that Agfarm growers benefit from even stronger connections to the growing, global demand for high quality grains and oilseeds," said Rick Browne, CHS Ag Business, senior vice president, Asia-Pacific. "This partnership aligns with CHS strategic growth initiatives that add value to member-owners by competitively linking global producers with buyers and consumers."

Agfarm has 38 employees in eight offices in Australia. Agfarm founder Bob McKay will continue to serve the organisation as chief executive officer.  

The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) has supported the government's decision to import of cheap wheat from India and Russia.

The Pakistan government made the decision to imported 0.8 million tons of wheat on the grounds that Pakistan wheat was poor quality. 

The move has improved the supply of wheat, lowered flour prices and forced the hoarders to sell their stock.

Location of Pakistan, including all areas cont...
Location of Pakistan, including all areas controlled by the government of Pakistan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
 
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