Frost slashes $200m in wheatbelt crops

[SASKFARMER3]

"Australia Department of Agriculture"

The Department of Agriculture says widespread frost in Western Australia's wheatbelt last month has wiped out more than $200 million worth of crops.

Temperatures dipped below two degrees in many parts of the wheatbelt in late September, causing serious damage to cereal crops.

The department's David Bowran says despite the frost damage, growers are expected to produce 11 million tonnes of grain.

Mr Bowran says this year's harvest will be worth about $3 billion.

"We've seen certainly examples of severe stem frost occurring for a few people," he said.

"We've heard some examples of head frost, particularly with wheat crops that were coming out with ear or flowering at about that time.

"So it does suggest that there are going to be some pretty severe impacts."

Meanwhile, global wheat prices are continuing to tumble as an above-average harvest gets underway in the mid-west and wheatbelt.

Exporters such as AWB have reduced their estimated pool returns as a result of the softening of the grains market internationally.

It is expecting APW wheat to sell at $318 a tonne, down $41.

Noodle grade wheat has also dropped to $318 a tonne.

Durum grade DRI is the only one to remain steady, with AWB sales forecast at $440 a tonne.

Wheat prices peaked in February but have been in decline after a spike in supply stemming largely from Europe.

The supplies of top grade grain just keeps going lowere. HM dont we have in Canada a good quality HRS and Durum Crop to the most part.
Wounder how the CWB is doing?

[furrowtickler]

I heard about this frost event, and not a word was even wispered on the markets.
Anouther heads up, the U.S. soyabean and corn crop is shrinking a little everyday, is it not Larry? Throw in a sprinkling of frost and a million acres not harvested in Canada and there may be a little light at the end of the tunnel.
As I said before there will be a shortage of high quality grains around the world this winter, hold on to what you got, you have nothing to loose for now. The only problem is, who will be able to afford them after the dust clears?

[SASKFARMER3]

Dont say we wont finish harvesting this years crop I still have a few acres of canola left. Will need 3 days with 5 combines.

[furrowtickler]

I hope everyone gets done but a big area is very wet, still today, and the forcast is not good, time is ticking.
It is getting to a point where fert will not be applied even if some wish to.
Also one thing to think about is that 1/2 of the american corn/soy crop will be very late and fall fert will not happen on those acres. One option is floating on 46-0-0 if the price drops enough, done this before and it works fine but to get a floater will cost $7-8/ac alone. I think I will coach kid's hockey and go hunting and let the rest worry about that.

[boarderbloke]

SKfarmer3, hope your not trying to pickup canola swaths in this wind today! ouch!

[SASKFARMER3]

No we had a 1 1/2 inches of rain since Sunday noon. So were sitting greasing the combine fixing one of the semis and changing a bearing on the grain bager.
Our wrecked deere should be out of the shop this Friday just in time to finish up.

[cottonpicken]

All things considered Sask or anyone,would you run two 9600's or one 9760?

[gustgd]

cotton
If your 1 9760 goes down you are from 100% to 0% production but most likely you will not have both of the 9600's down at same time. that being said we had three down in one day.
This all depends on labour availability and replacement costs.
another thing to think about is straw management the 9760 is head and shoulders above conventional combines.

[agstar77]

You're first mistake was running something green. L.O.L.

[SASKFARMER3]

That's the million dollar question. Two is always better than one. Just in case one goes down. But have had three sitting one day last year. Two 9600 will harvest grain but a 9760 sts really eats grain and less dockage due to cracking etc. In our case we are getting to point where three would be a good Idea. After the rent bill on 9760 is due probably will own three.