Thursday, March 28, 2024

Feed grain on offer

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Arable farmers have had one of the better harvest seasons for some time and grain for feed is available. The latest Arable Industry Marketing Initiative report shows yields for the 2020 harvest are up 16% on 2019.
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Federated Farmers grains vice-chairman Brian Leadley said the high yields in a difficult season are encouraging and a credit to arable farmers.

Particularly encouraging is the fact fewer hectares were planted this season than last, 98,000ha versus 104,000ha, yet yields were up substantially at 873,080 compared to 796,700 in 2019.

“This is despite a severe early season hailstorm, flooding in some regions and some pretty variable weather. 

“It just highlights that our arable farmers are world class,” Leadley said.

Some caution is needed when comparing the 2020 harvest with 2019 given last year was a pretty poor harvest.

“But when you get results such as a 17.7% increase in feed wheat despite a 6% decrease in hectares planted and a 31% increase in harvested milled wheat from only a 13% increase in hectares planted that’s really pleasing.”

There is demand for locally produced milling wheat and the quarterly survey shows growers have responded with a greater area of milling wheat being planted for next season’s harvest 

“I think there is also a recognition from growers that many modern milling varieties are performing well in their rotation and this is supported by the good lift in yields seen this season.”

The survey gives a broad indication of farmers’ autumn planting intentions. 

Intentions on April 1 showed feed wheat and feed barley plantings are going to be down on previous years. 

But milling wheat, milling oats and malting barley are likely to increase.

Leadley acknowledged the feed shortage being faced by many livestock farmers comes with the double hit of drought and meat plant processing delays.

With good stocks in the silos growers are confident they are in a position to supply good volumes of feed grains.   

Feed wheat and barley is a nutritious supplementary feed option heading into winter and spring but needs careful management to prevent acidosis.

Leadley urged livestock farmers to talk to their vet or advisers about feeding grain.

“There are willing buyers in the market and we expect that the 118,000 tonnes of uncontracted feed wheat and 126,000 tonnes of feed barley will find a home.”

Arable farmers report grain has been selling since the survey was done so there will now be less uncontracted stocks available.

The Ministry for Primary Industries and partner agencies DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb, AgFirst and Federated Farmers are offering free feed-planning support to farmers and livestock owners in all parts of the country.

“This is not just about the now but also future options and ongoing support,” Leadley said.

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