This week saw 38,549 bales put before the trade, and while it was an increase on last weeks volume, the season-to-date cumulative total remains much less, with 12.5% less wool offered for the same period.

The exchange rate gave overseas processors some assistance, as the local currency continued to trend lower against the US dollar. Midway through the week the AUD hit 71.5 US cents, a two-year low, before staging a recovery to finish at 71.68 cents late on Thursday. Price wise in local terms, the market opened on a strong note and resumed its upward trajectory from last week. The first day recorded widespread increases but the momentum could not be maintained, with prices easing slightly on Thursday.

Merino Skirtings found good support and were mostly firm on the previous sale. Merino Cardings were also reasonably limited, and the Merino Carding Indicators closed with only minor movements.

The smallest national Crossbred offering in three years had mixed results; firming in some areas and losing ground in others.

Source AWEX

It’s All About ME, Grain Crops For Livestock

As the big dry continues, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) scientists have some tips for producers to explore how to best maximise opportunities from moisturestressed wheat and canola crops.

NSW DPI researcher, John Piltz said producers know that by making early decisions to graze or conserve crops, they can maximise the nutritional value of cereal crops that may not be harvestable for animal production.

“It’s worth remembering that dietary metabolisable energy (ME) is the key to animal production gains, but ME declines in the post-vegative growth stage,” said John.

“We advise producers to accurately evaluate all their on-farm and sale options for potential grain production, grazing, hay and silage or agistment opportunities.

“If crop yield is low, less than two tonnes of dry matter per hectare, hay and silage making losses will be high and grazing would be recommended.

“If you’re going to graze the crop it is better to act sooner than later, delaying cutting from early October to early November on the chance of rain would reduce ME levels with a negative impact on feed quality and potential animal production.”

To better inform management decisions John and NSW DPI analytical chemist, Richard Meyer, have predicted steer live weight change using Grazfeed and compared with data from wheat and canola samples tested by NSW DPI’s Feed Quality Service (FQS).

Samples from 2008-09 and 2017-18 had an average ME of 9.0 megajoules (MJ) per kilogram of dry matter, which would deliver a predicted daily live weight gain of 0.37 kilograms per day for a nine-month old, 280 kilogram British breed steer.

The more ME animals eat, the quicker they grow, as long as crude protein, vitamins and minerals are kept in balance. Increasing ME from 8.5 to 10.5 MJ for the same steer is predicted to increase live weight gain from 0.15 to 0.92 kilograms per day.

In the post-vegative stage, crop ME declines an average 0.05 MJ per day as plants mature.

Results of the study are available through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an alliance between NSW DPI and Charles Sturt University.

For the crop salvage calculator visit: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/ broadacre-crops/crop-salvage-calculator.

Farmer of the Year Nominations

NSW Minister for Primary Industries and outgoing NSW Farmers President, Derek Schoen announced the opening of applications for the prestigious NSW Farmer of the Year award for 2018. Speaking at the NSW Farmers Annual Conference recently, NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair said the award is both a celebration and recognition of farming excellence through the diverse range of enterprises across NSW. “Our farmers represent some of the most innovative, industrious primary producers in the country and produce some of the highest quality food and fibre to be found anywhere in the world,” said Niall.

“The state’s $15 billion primary industries sector is going from strength to strength under the stewardship of our farmers, who demonstrate drive and determination to run efficient, profitable and sustainable businesses.”

Derek has served as a judge of the award throughout his presidency and said that the 2017 finalists represented the breadth of NSW’s farming sector. “From biodynamic, organic egg farming to a commercial cropping enterprise gaining efficiencies through environmental practices, from young guns through to farmers who have had a life-long commitment to farming excellence, the calibre of applications to the NSW Farmer of the Year award continues to be hugely impressive,” he said.

“The award helps identify outstanding farmers who are pushing the boundaries within their industry and in farming generally, and recognises people with outstanding management skills who demonstrate a combination of innovation, profitability, sustainability and community involvement.”

The successful 2018 Farmer of the Year will be awarded $10,000 and finalists will receive $2,000. The award is an initiative of the NSW Department of Primary Industries and NSW Farmers. You can both apply and nominate a farmer online at www.nswfarmeroftheyear.com.au with entries closing 26th September 2018.

Farmers across NSW are set to receive government grants towards building cattle underpasses, to ensure livestock can safely move between paddocks separated by a state road.

The NSW Government has committed up to $3 million in grants for farmers, to build cattle underpasses and install warning signs and flashing lights, to help ensure safety for producers and motorists.

Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair said the investment delivers on a commitment between the NSW Liberals and Nationals as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NSW Farmers’ Association to develop an underpass scheme to improve farm and road safety.

“Underpasses will remove the need for cattle to cross country roads, improving safety for livestock owners, their employees and motorists,” said Niall.

“This initiative, funded by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), would be particularly beneficial to dairy producers who need to move stock across roads to milking facilities every day.

“In the last financial year, NSW milk production was worth $559 million to the state’s economy, reflecting the strength and resilience of the industry which is still managing the challenges of low prices for dairy products as well as facing the current drought conditions.”

Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey said the NSW Government will offer grants for 50 percent of the cost of installing an underpass, up to $70,000.

“Farmers can also access optional grants of up to $10,000 to help cover the cost of installing warning signs and flashing lights,” said Melinda.

Member for Lismore, Thomas George said along with the productivity boost for producers, the scheme would reduce hazards for motorists. “Underpasses will reduce the risk of road collisions, traffic delays and road surface damage,” said Thomas.

“Each underpass will be built primarily for the movement of livestock with permission from Roads and Maritime Services.”

CEO of NSW Farmers, Matt Brand said the association has advocated for an underpass scheme for NSW for a number of years and is very pleased to see this come to fruition. “We have seen a similar successful scheme run in Victoria and are delighted that NSW has followed suit,” said Matt.

“The underpass scheme acknowledges the importance of improved farm productivity, increased animal welfare and better safety for motorists.

“We encourage all cattle farmers to utilise this scheme to help improve the productivity of their business and animal welfare.”

Applications for grants close on 31st October 2018 and will be considered in the order in which they are received. Every application received will be assessed against eligibility criteria listed in the Cattle Underpass Scheme guidelines. More information about eligibility and application requirements is available from https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/cups.

Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud has congratulated Rabobank for offering a Farm Management Deposit (FMD) offset to their customers.

This means farmers who bank with Rabobank, which has the second biggest slice of the farm lending market after NAB, will now be able to use the money in their FMD to offset interest on their loans. Farmers can put pre-tax income into the FMD during good years and pull it out during bad years, choosing to pay tax on it then.

Farmers are allowed to have up to $800,000 in an FMD. This means they could potentially save up to $24,000 a year if their bank offers an FMD offset (3 percent interest multiplied by $800,000).

David pushed the issue of FMD offsets during his drought round table in July. NAB and CBA have since announced they’ll give farmers FMD offsets. Rabobank had initially ruled out the idea of offering farmers an FMD offset product but last weekend announced it would give farmers that option. Only Westpac and ANZ have failed to come to the party.

“I congratulate Rabobank for doing the right thing,” said David.

“I’m glad the bank was big enough to change their mind. Australia’s farmers will be better off for it.”

“Rabobank is a foreign-owned bank showing the way for Westpac and ANZ. I hope Westpac and ANZ show they care for Australian farmers very soon, because their donations to drought causes are too small to be calculated as a percentage of their multi-billion dollar profit. What would really make a difference to our farmers is an FMD offset product.”

Australian farmers have more than $6 billion in FMD’s, so if all banks offer FMD offsets on farm loans, this could save farmers $240 million a year.

NSW producers considering late sowing barley in consideration of the dry start to winter have been advised to take paddock selection and seed quality into account.

With the lack of substantial winter rainfall, many growers have dry sown a proportion of their winter cereal crop and are now waiting on rain before committing to further plantings.

As the sowing window becomes later, growers are increasingly looking to barley as a late sowing option. In some cases this might also be to increase the level of stubble cover to reduce the risk of erosion and runoff in bare paddocks.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Research Agronomist, Rick Graham said barley is considered a lower fertiliser input crop, which is seen as more adaptable and tolerant of short seasons, in comparison to spring wheat varieties.

“When deciding to late sow, growers need to take into account paddock selection and history as the impact of potential weed problems and any sub-soil constraints are likely to be amplified in a dry season.

“Growers will need to consider seed quality, particularly seed size and germination percentages, when looking at late sowing options and adjust seeding rates accordingly,” said Rick.

Growers currently have access to a number of late sowing/early maturing barley variety options, which are photoperiod sensitive, enabling them to speed up development when sown later.

To read the full article visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/releases/2018/considerations-for-late-sown-barley-crops.