Frost research
PRELIMINARY frost research is underway to better understand how farm management practices influence the effect of weather events on cereals.
Although only few incidences of severe frost have been recorded in WA to mid-September, mild frost in early August did hit crops in the far eastern Wheatbelt.
The Department of Agriculture and Food is leading several large scale frost trials, as part of the Grains Research and Development Corporation's (GRDC) national frost Initiative management program.
For more information contact research officer Ben Biddulph on 0428 920 654
GRDC spring tour
KEY GRDC members will this week tour WA's northern cropping districts to meet with growers and discuss their agronomic and production challenges.
Chairman Richard Clark, western panellists including panel chairman Peter Roberts and staff including GRDC research programs executive manager Brondwen MacLean will consult local growers from October 1 to 3.
Meetings with growers, researchers, advisers and other grains industry representatives will take place in districts including Mingenew, Morawa, Coorow, Moora, New Norcia, Yerecoin/Piawaning, Calingiri and Bolgart.
The tour is one of three separate GRDC western panel spring tours being conducted in WA this year.
Growers seeking itinerary information can contact Paul Kelly on 0427 275 022 or at paulsuekelly@westnet.com.au.
CBH freight estimates
The CBH Group released its estimated freight rates for the 2014-15 harvest last week, with rates across most sites to jump by one per cent.
The 1pc increase is below the consumer price index, which was 2.5pc for WA.
Sites along the Tier 3 rail lines have had rate increases above 1pc to reflect the road component of their supply chain being added due to the closure of Tier 3 rail lines by Brookfield Rail in June.
Some sites will also have larger increases as they face truck combination size downgrades due to restrictions and limitations on local routes and access roads.
These estimates have been calculated in uncertain times as the CBH Group continues to negotiate a rail access agreement with Brookfield through the Economic Regulation Authority.
CBH has not yet been granted an extension to the access agreement, therefore the estimated rates are likely change if an extension is not granted.
The freight rates are estimates and may be reviewed during harvest to reflect any significant changes to expected delivery patterns, fuel prices and rail arrangements.
Interzone freight rates will be available again this year to provide growers with flexibility.
The estimated freight rates are provided to growers as a guide and will be finalised in February.
If you have any grain photos or industry news keep in touch, email: jessica.hayes@fairfaxmedia.com.au
