Australian agriculture faces a wet spring
Eastern Australia is bracing for a wet spring, adding to the already saturated ground in large parts of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland and potentially disrupting cattle markets and grain harvests.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is forecasting wetter than usual conditions for August-October, increasing the likelihood of cooler conditions for the eastern two-thirds of Australia.
A higher than average rainfall through the spring months could see a release in pressure on the northern heavy feeder price because of cattle availability.
Although June saw below-average rainfall for northern NSW, producers are still struggling with waterlogged pastures and paddocks from heavy rainfall early this year. Producers located along the Northern Rivers in NSW have recorded more than 2,500mm of rain since January. These farmers will see production losses as the most recent drop of calves struggle in the wet and cold conditions.
Some parts of the Darling Downs region of Queensland have recorded over 500mm of rain from January-July compared with a usual average of just over 300mm. The usual sorghum harvest on the Darling Downs will come to an end in May, although with increased rainfall, some farmers were still harvesting in late June.
Excess rain on a mature ripe grain crop will cause sprouting, which decreases yields, causing the grain to be downgraded and often diverted from export to domestic markets like livestock and poultry feed. Increased rain at the later stages of a grain crop creates tougher conditions for harvest, with wet boggy fields. There were more lower-quality grains produced during the 2021 NSW harvest as a result of the increased rainfall.
The BoM has said there is a 50pc chance of La Nina returning in late 2022, with a likely development of a negative Indian ocean dipole. Full water catchments will struggle to handle continued rainfall into 2023, with an increased chance of flooding.
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Ukraine corn 2024-25 output to fall to 22.9mn t
Ukraine corn 2024-25 output to fall to 22.9mn t
London, 28 August (Argus) — Argus forecasts Ukraine's 2024-25 corn production to fall sharply on the year and five-year average because unfavourable weather during development has cut yields, adding to pressure from lower areas on the year. Argus projects Ukraine's corn output at 22.9mn t in the 2024-25 marketing year (October-September), down from its estimate for 2023-24 at 31.5mn t. The new Argus forecast is also lower than the latest 2024-25 projections from the US Department of Agriculture at 27.2mn t. Record-high temperatures in July and a lack of rainfall has caused a potential drop in corn yields by 10-30pc this season compared with last year, when favourable weather conditions resulted in above-average yields in some regions. For the 2024-25 crop, yields have fallen in all key producing regions. Corn crops in western regions fared better than those in northern and central regions. Argus forecasts the 2024-25 average corn yields at 5.87 t/hectare (t/ha), significantly lower than Argus' 2023-24 estimate of 7.78 t/ha for last year. Total 2024-25 corn harvested areas are forecast at 3.89mn ha, down by 2pc on the year. Areas might shrink further because some farmers have used crops from their worse-off fields for silage. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Low water spurs Mississippi River restrictions
Low water spurs Mississippi River restrictions
Houston, 27 August (Argus) — The US Coast Guard implemented draft restrictions for the lower Mississippi River yesterday as water levels fall. Beginning from around Tiptonville, Tennessee, to Rosedale, Mississippi, southbound barge drafts cannot be greater than 11ft and tow more than seven barges wide. Southbound transit from Rosedale to Tunica, Mississippi, cannot have a draft deeper than 11.5ft. Northbound drafts from Tunica to Tiptonville cannot be greater than 10ft. The operating drafts were reduced to 9ft in mid-October , but water levels began declining in June last year. The low water threshold of -2ft has been passed at Tunica Mhoon Landing, Mississippi, reaching -3.4ft. Memphis, Tennessee is only 2.5ft above its low water threshold. The US Coast Guard has initiated a 9ft draft requirement over the last two years when several points along the lower Mississippi have fallen below their low water threshold. Multiple sites on the lower Mississippi are forecast to reach their low water thresholds by the second week of September, according to the National Weather Service. Southbound freight rates are likely to rise as draft restrictions force barge carriers to employ larger fleets to move the same volumes, especially as crop harvests continue. With restrictions on the number of towable barges, more transits will have to occur for both south and northbound products. Grain exporters at New Orleans have taken to the sidelines as the risk of grain being caught on the lower Mississippi River has increased. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Australian canola output to fall in 2024-25: AOF
Australian canola output to fall in 2024-25: AOF
Sydney, 27 August (Argus) — Australian canola production is expected to fall in 2024-25 following a smaller expected harvest area and a mixed crop outlook across regions, according to the Australian Oilseeds Federation's (AOF) August crop report. The AOF projects canola production to fall by 367,000t to 5.44mn t in 2024-25 from 2023-24. The area harvested is expected to fall by 356,000 hectares (ha) to 3.24mn ha, which is 36,000 ha more than the AOF's forecast made in June . Production is set to fall in all states, except New South Wales (NSW), which is anticipated to increase by 330,000t to 1.67mn t in 2024-25 from 2023-24 despite a smaller harvest area. NSW cropping regions have benefited from favourable rainfall and good soil moisture levels and are expected to reach average or above average yields. But crops in southern and southwestern regions are behind on typical growth and will need continuing favourable seasonal conditions to reach below average yield potential. The AOF also warned that more advanced crops are subject to frost risk. The largest harvested area reduction was in Western Australia (WA), which accounted for 45pc of total production in 2023-24, according to AOF sourced estimates. Growers reduced their canola plantings because of a hot and dry summer and the absence of a material rainfall event to start the growing season during April-May. Further reductions resulted as crops were abandoned and resown with alternative crops. The US Department of Agriculture expects a larger crop in 2024-25, projecting Australian canola output at 5.5mn t in the 2024-25 marketing year. By Edward Dunlop Australian canola harvest area, production 2023-24 2024-25 y-o-y ± Harvest area (ha) NSW 866,000 820,000 -5% Victoria 601,000 600,000 -0% South Australia 284,000 260,000 -8% WA 1,845,000 1,560,000 -15% Total 3,596,000 3,240,000 -10% Production (t) NSW 1,340,000 1,670,000 25% Victoria 1,410,000 1,245,000 -12% South Australia 468,000 400,000 -15% WA 2,584,000 2,120,000 -18% Total 5,802,000 5,435,000 -6% Source: AOF Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Canadian labor board orders rail service to resume
Canadian labor board orders rail service to resume
Houston, 25 August (Argus) — Canada's two Class I railroads avoided a crippling extended work stoppage on Saturday, after an independent labor board upheld the Canadian government's order for the railroads to enter binding arbitration with a labor union representing more than 9,000 rail employees. The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), in two separate orders, directed the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) to enter binding arbitration with the nation's two Class I railroads — Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN). The order heads off an extended work stoppage that would have echoed across North American supply chains for virtually all commodities, from crude, refined products, LPG and coal to fertilizers like potash, as well as consumer and industrial goods. Virtually all railed shipments carried by CN and CPKC came to a grinding halt early on 22 August after months-long talks between the railroads and the TCRC hit an impasse. Later the same day, the Canadian government stepped in to force parties into binding arbitration, but the TCRC said it would not abide by the directive without a ruling from the CIRB. In its rulings, the CIRB ordered CN and CPKC employees represented by the TCRC to resume their duties as of 12:01 am EDT on 26 August and remain "until the final binding interest arbitration process is completed". The CIRB also ruled that no further labor stoppages, including lockouts or strikes, could occur during the arbitration process, effectively voiding a TCRC strike notice issued on 23 August for CN workers set to take effect on 26 August. CN and CPKC said they will comply with the CIRB order, and CPKC asked TCRC employees to return to work on 25 August "so that we can get the Canadian economy moving again as quickly as possible and avoid further disruption to supply chains". The TCRC said it would comply with the CIRB decision, even though it sets a "dangerous precedent". TCRC plans to appeal the ruling in federal court. "The ruling signals to corporate Canada that large companies need only stop their operations for a few hours, inflict short-term economic pain, and the federal government will step in to break a union," TCRC president Paul Boucher said. "The rights of Canadian workers have been significantly diminished today." It could take weeks for Canadian rail operations to return to normal. CPKC said it could take several weeks for its rail network to fully recover from the work stoppage and even longer for supply chains to stabilize. Canadian railroads last week embargoed shipments of toxic materials and earlier this week stopped loading any new railcars. By Chris Baltimore Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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