Early November frosts throughout the Wimmera smashed crops, particularly high-value pulse, causing an estimated $180 million in damages. 

Early December rainfall of between 20-150mm has slowed harvest and may lead to quality downgrades.

Fortunately, a majority of farmers had worked tirelessly to get high-value crops of canola and pulses in north-west Victoria, and cereals are the majority of crops still standing.

One result from rainfall during harvest is the potential for sprouting, where the seed germinates in the head of the grain.

This is of significant concern at harvest time, and the risk can increase with large and prolonged rainfall events, preventing the canopy from drying out quickly.

Birchip Cropping Group researcher Linda Walters said research indicated that Scope CL barley was the most tolerant to sprouting.

The same research by BCG found Spartacus CL, La Trobe, Commander and Hindmarsh were more susceptible.

ADM grain accumulation manager for Victoria, Peter Sidley, explained that marketers would be looking at what had occurred to the quality of the unharvested crop.

“Such quality downgrades will see less of both malting barley and higher grades of wheat being delivered, while at the same time more feed quality grain will become available,” he said.

But it will only be once headers re-enter the paddock will they be able to ascertain just how much the grain quality profile has changed.

“This is likely to see pricing for these premium grades remaining firm over the harvest period, while the feed markets are likely to come under downward pricing pressure,” Mr Sidley said. 

For more information or guidance regarding the marketing of weather-affected grain, contact your grain marketer.