Grain talk
KI Pure Grain has put out a call for farmers to consider planting canola and broad beans in coming seasons.
Chairman Neil Pontifex said KIPG was struggling to meet demand from the markets it was developing and the two crops were paying a premium that KI farmers should not ignore.
“We’re not increasing our tonnage of grain on KI fast enough to keep up with the demand we are developing. I know that has been because the last couple of years have been a real boon for graziers with both wool and lamb prices at all-time highs and I don’t begrudge that,” Mr Pontifex said.
“Now I would like to encourage all KI farmers to evaluate the opportunity before them for the next couple of years.
“We have a set of circumstances at the moment that can benefit all KI farmers.”
He said the high canola price, currently more than $600 a tonne and forward price for next year of $550 a tonne was a factor.
Also, broad beans were becoming a major crop on KI. KIPG had great demand for broad beans at $100 to $150 premium over faba bean price.
“In addition, broad beans are able to tolerate water-logging during winter much better than faba beans. The stubble is absolutely fantastic for autumn fattening lambs,” Mr Pontifex said.
“So, if I was a grazier that had a paddock or two where the pasture needed a bit of rejuvenation, or some weeds taken out of, I would be seriously thinking about shutting it up now to get a bulk of feed on it, then hay freezing it so that I have some autumn feed next year and at the same time stopping all weeds setting seed so that a canola crop sown on it next year could be grown very cheaply without need for herbicides.
“Canola following pasture also needs very little nitrogen fertiliser, and usually has very good yields, which, with the prices available, would make it a very profitable paddock. Then the following year I would get it sown with broad beans, which need no nitrogen fertilizer,” Mr Pontifex said.
Source: farmonline.com.au