Southern Crop Yields Boost Confidence as Northern Queensland Deteriorates

Northern Queensland's crop prospects have deteriorated due to hot weather and drying winds. Growers are reining in their selling of wheat and barley as production concerns grow.

In contrast, Victorian and southern New South Wales crops have a stellar yield outlook, boosting consumer confidence in supply.

Barley prices fell in the south last week, while northern rates firmed, driven by quality and production prospects for the southern Queensland crop. However, some growers are hesitant to forward sell due to low testweights from moisture-stressed barley crops.

Cottonseed is trading at around $540/t in the Gwydir Valley, $510/t in the Macquarie Valley, and $530/t in southern NSW, with domestic-only sales being made this season to date.