Local farmers are seeking to regain market control by improving on farm storage facilities.
Since the deregulation of the wheat industry, and as margins become tighter, the ability to store product and wait for a better price is more important than ever.
Primary producers are traditionally recognised as ‘price-takers’, but on-farm storage is helping farmers regain bargaining power in the market.
Strong attendance at an on-farm storage field day held east of Narrabri yesterday showed clear interest in improving storage.
Despite the cold, rainy weather, around 30 people gathered on Peter Fulton Kennedy’s property ‘The Downs’ to get the latest information on the best storage products and techniques.
Brenden Smith from ‘Girrawheen’ near Bellata came along especially to view Peter’s new state-of-the-art silo.
“The on-farm storage gives you the flexibility to start harvest earlier and when storing grain at a high moisture level because you can use aeration to dry it, and it’s also good to be able to market the crop later,” he said.
“Since deregulation of the grain market and increasing costs of storing grain in the handling system, it’s often in your interests to keep it on farm.
“There’s no doubt people are looking to gain more control and sell when it suits them rather than have to rush and sell at harvest when there’s downward pressure on prices.”
Brenden was also keen to brush up on his knowledge of grain hygiene and monitoring practices through a presentation by Phil Burrell from the Queensland Department of Agriculture.
Steve Dalton from AgVantage Commodities in Narrabri decided to hold the field day due to the increasing interest his clients were showing in on-farm storage.