Harvest splits feedgrain prices as northern bids rise and southern values soften
Feedgrain markets moved in opposite directions, with northern bids strengthening and southern prices weakening as harvest activity increased. High diesel costs have made it less economical to truck barley from the Mallee and Riverina into southern Queensland feedlots, prompting buyers to raise offers to nearby growers. Rain was uneven across the north and south, while locust activity remained a concern in Victoria’s Mallee.
Northern buyers are lifting nearby bids as growers release only grain they cannot store. In southern Queensland, feedlots are competing for barley close to home because costly diesel makes long hauls from the Mallee and Riverina uneconomic. Corn from the Murray and Murrumbidgee valleys is also being priced into Downs rations, while cottonseed trades around $540/t ex gin.
Further south, rain has helped yield prospects but slowed parts of the northern harvest. Some Queensland growers still need more moisture before sorghum planting, and chickpea harvesting in Central Queensland is nearly finished. Victorian Mallee locust activity remains a watchpoint.
Higher nearby feedgrain offers may support northern growers’ cash flow, while southern sellers could face softer returns if barley demand stays thin. Livestock feeders may see ration costs vary by location, and transport operators could be affected by reduced long-haul grain movements. Consumers might eventually feel these shifts through meat, dairy, or grain-based food prices, though harvest weather, export demand, and fuel costs may alter that path.