Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER

Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER
Saturday, March 7, 2026
HomeRuralSeason marching on

Season marching on

We are still looking for a good soak to finish off crops as we head on towards the tipping point, that being Balaklava Show Day.

Currently we are looking fine with a cold front expected for Saturday, and whilst it is not the drenching rains farmers are searching for, at least it is not forecast to be 35 with a howling north wind.

Last Monday’s wild winds was testament to just how dry it still is with sandhills drifting at Bowmans, not terribly inspiring in September for anyone.

Some areas of the Mid North are looking pretty good whilst farther north in the marginal areas, the feed situation is vastly better than last season.

Rainfall to date is variable and generally below average and this year we simply do not have the subsoil moisture which got many

growers through to an average harvest last year.

The current outlook according to the bureau is for about a 50 per cent chance of exceeding above average rainfall in the next three weeks. It is not surprising most farmers do not hang out at the casino, we gamble enough on the weather.

Grain Talk with Davis Grain

Grain markets have continued to soften over the past week, which can mainly be attributed to the release of the US Department of Agriculture’s world agricultural supply and demand estimates (WASDE) latest report.

The report projected global wheat stocks for the 2025/26 season at around 264.1 million tonnes, this is up 3.98 million tonne on the back of favourable forecasts for Australia, the EU, Canada and Russia.

The slow export pace out of Russia has shifted some demand towards other export origins causing a rise in corn pricing, which in turn should also support world wheat markets.

Meanwhile, the Rosario Grain exchange has forecast Argentina’s corn crop to be a record breaker with estimates at 10 million tonnes more than last season.

Soybean estimates have been revised down, which means a tightening of world supply. This in turn has spilled over onto rapeseed and Canadian canola markets pushing them higher.

This means Australian canola pricing remains firm despite the strengthening Aussie dollar against the US last week.

Downward pressure remains on lentils due to increased production in Australia and the Canadian harvest being significant, which has impacted on global supply and further depressed prices.

Editor’s note: with Albo’s announcement of a billion-dollar investment into vegetable oil as a replacement for diesel fuel, we can all sow canola everywhere, we will be so rich! I shall order another windrower immediately.

Digital Edition
Subscribe

Get an all ACCESS PASS to the News and your Digital Edition with an online subscription

Voices needed for review

Livestock SA is calling on sheep and cattle producers across the Mid North to take a seat at the table as critical decisions loom...

More News

Bringing others out of the Woods

A selfless initiative from a Peterborough woman in the height of drought conditions has been commended at a statewide level, earning her an award...

Council sustainability called into question

Advice received via a peak regulator’s report has predicted bleak long-term outlooks for a pair of Mid North councils. Peterborough and Orroroo Carrieton councils were...

Footy Roadshow heads to the Plains

South Australian regional communities will once again share in the spirit of football, and the build up to the AFL Gather Round as the...

Australian Family Party highlight priorities

Health, roads and childcare have been highlighted as the main priorities for the Australian Family Party, which is running candidates across the four local...

Ngadjuri candidates face voters at forum

Candidates running for the seat of Ngadjuri have met in the election lead up, giving residents of the electorate an opportunity to speak directly...

Fresh look for dog park

The Crystal Brook Dog Park is receiving a facelift as a major upgrade is underway. Port Pirie Regional Council began improvements on 3 March, where...

Game set match for Kapunda courts

Kapunda Tennis Club has celebrated the completed resurfacing of its courts at Dutton Park, and is now focused on growing the number of participants...

Laura committee wins state honour

After winning the Award for Active Citizenship at the Northern Areas Council’s Australia Day awards, the Laura Nature Playground Committee has been recognised at...

Sides set for Rocky River finals glory

With rain causing havoc across the region the preliminary finals in Rocky River A Grade cricket had to be postponed until Saturday, 8 March....

Barr raised high with rewarding life

Eulogy for Robert William Barr, given by his children Andrew Barr, Gaye Kuerschner and Sue Pratt at his funeral on 13 February. ROBERT WILLIAM BARR...