THIS season's harvest is one many West Australian farmers would like to forget.
But it is one agriculture dealmakers could cite as crucial for finally cracking a (so far) impenetrable grains monopoly, The Australian Financial Review reports.
Well-placed sources suggest predators are circling CBH, hoping to pick up one of the few remaining grains assets in Australia - viewed globally as the food bowl to Asia.
The theory is that a cashed-up raider might bypass the CBH board completely, taking an offer to growers, many of whom are cash-strapped following the dry conditions in the west that have left the state on track to deliver its second lowest harvest in 20 years.
There has been a vocal group of farmers said to be growing in number, led by John Nicoletti, wanting CBH to corporatise its structure, list on the Australian Securities Exchange and thereby deliver equity, and future dividends, to its 4000 grower members.