28/09/12: Australia special

Hello,

Today we have an Australia themed post. 

One of the biggest issues in Australian milling is the plan to deregulate the wheat export industry.  The Federal Government is in favour of full deregulation but is yet to bring the bill to vote as it does not have enough support.  The Federal Coalition oppose the plan but this has caused tension for some MPs as they must choose between the interests of their constituents and their party. 
Growers meanwhile, say the industry is not mature enough to manage without rules.  Andrew Weidemann, Victorian Farmers Federation grains group president, argues that the wheat industry is not ready to get rid of the old regulated system, Wheat Exports Australia.  This organisation, which is separate from the Australian Wheat Board, was established to ensure a smooth transition to deregulation.  Read more... 

CBH offers segregation for Hindmarsh barley to test market.  The CBH Group will offer limited segregations for Hindmarsh barley in each port zone this harvest to get feedback on whether there is a viable, differentiated market for the variety.  More information... 

The top six perennial wheat lines from an intensive three-year selection trial have now been entered into a rigorous testing program to measure their performance in grain and grazing trials.
NSW Department of Primary Industries researcher, Matt Newell, said the Cowra-based study is testing lines sourced from the Tamworth Australian Winter Collections Unit, US Land Institute and Washington State University.  Read more...

Wheat in the Hulah valley, 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Australian farmers fight sale of AWB to Cargill

The New South Wales Farmers Assocation (NSWFA) is continuing its fight to stop the sale of AWB to US agribusiiness Cargill, telling Canberra that the move is against national interest and threatens the viability of family farming in Australia.

The NSWFA grains committee objected to the AUS$1.2 billion (€0.883 billion) sale following its announcement last December. NSWFA wants to maintain Australian ownership of AWB and convert it into a co-operative structure similar to CBH in WA.

They are looking for government assistance to help purchase the AWB commodity trading business, estimating its value at about AUS$850 million (€625.365 million) but don’t want government legislation re-introduced, to make grain acquisition compulsory, citing a distinct “lack of political will” in that area. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers

Grain growers look for help

Australian grain growers, are seeking help as the looming crisis facing the nations grain harvest. Rain bands extending from Queensland to Victoria are expected to cause huge damage to the cereal crops across the eastern grain belt. Which could cost the industry hundreds of millions of dollars in milling quality grain.

The New South Wales Farmers Association (NSWFA) said “we have a natural disaster developing at the moment”, Queensland has already had a lot of downgraded grain, this is a cancer creeping south. Mr Hoskinson of the (NSWFA) said growers were worried weather-damaged grain would be sold at "firesale" levels. "There is no buyer obliged to buy weather-damaged grain any more with the demise of the single desk”. But an AWB spokesman said there was no difficulty selling feed grain internationally. Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.