New Zealand: Milling wheat and malting barely harvests soar

Milling wheat and malting barley were the big hitters for arable farmers this past season as growers tackle the new season’s winter and spring crop plantings. New season wheat contracts have boosted confidence with cropping farmers quick to take advantage of better pricing. The milling wheat harvest at 103,200t this past season was up 49% on last year, when contract issues had growers pursuing alternative crop options. “We’re seeing some certainty and confidence return in wheat,” North Island Federated Farmers arable vice-president grains Andrew Darling said. “There are varying opinions on the contracts put out in the last week or so, but I think they’re fair. “The biscuit wheat contracts got snapped up pretty quick. Meanwhile the latest Arable Industry Marketing Initiative (AIMI) reports yields were up 7% on average across the six milling and malting and feed cereal crops this past season.” But Darling said there are very trying conditions for some North Island growers. The AIMI ...