Arable yield up but storage of some concern

Published date24 May 2023
Publication titleCentral Rural Life
The May AIMI (Arable Industry Marketing Initiative) report describes excellent harvest conditions in most South Island regions, though rain in March in parts of Canterbury and northern Southland doused crops and made harvesting and paddock access difficult

It was much more difficult in the North Island, Federated Farmers arable grains vice-president Andrew Darling said.

After continual rain some spring crops had a harvest window but then February’s cyclone blew in, flooding paddocks and delaying harvest, and in some cases large portions of crops were lost.

About 103,200 tonnes of milling wheat was harvested, up 49% compared with last year when contracting issues resulted in growers pursuing other options.

‘‘I think we’re seeing some certainty and confidence return,’’ Mr Darling said.

‘‘There’s varying opinions on the contracts put out in the last week or so but I think they’re fair.’’

The 62,700 tonnes of malting barley brought in is a 69% rise on the previous season.

Malting barley had ‘‘been through a bit of a roller-coaster ride’’ but was now strengthening up, he said.

However, feed cereal markets had gone cold.

He put that down to a combination of an excellent growing season for grass and the slide in whole milk prices causing many dairy farmers to look closely at where they can pull back costs.

Some 303,800 tonnes of feed wheat was harvested — down 3% compared with last year — and 72% was sold by the time of the AIMI survey.

Of the 286,500 tonnes of feed barley, 40% was unsold —...

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