After ending May with negligible rain in key production zones, widespread falls of between 25 and 50mm across Victoria have transformed crop prospects.

Importantly the rain was widespread and even, according to GrainCorp head of national Operations Jason Shanley. “There is a long way to go and the crop is late, but the long-term forecast of a wetter than average spring is giving people a little more confidence that they could push up to average yields,” Shanley told the Australian Grains Industry Conference. The drought has meant carry-over stocks had been run down.

ABARES is forecasting a Victorian winter crop of 8mt, with yields relatively steady, barring a slight drop in canola, which will suffer the most from the late start. Wheat prices have softened with limited exports and steady end-user demand according to Dairy Australia’s Grain & Hay report with some growers meeting the market at current prices. SA has also received good soaking rains improving soil moisture and steadying grain prices.