Dairy Expo Breakfast
Whilst it was difficult to predict, there could be a global grain surplus this year with close to a record crop in the Black Sea area and Europe, said the proprietor of Reid Stockfeeds, Mr Ian Reid.
Mr Reid was one of four speakers at the South Gippsland Dairy Expo sponsors’ breakfast at Korumburra last Thursday.
Despite a drought in northern parts of Australia, grain production from Australia’s eastern seaboard could be 11.5 million plus tonnes which could produce a surplus with South and Western Australian grain being mainly exported.
A successful Queensland sorgham crop later in the season could also be of some influence.
South Gippsland dairy farmer and Murray Goulburn director, Kelvin Jackson, acknowledged the difficulties being experienced by the company and said many initiatives had been introduced to combat the upheaval.
Many options were before the board of directors, he said.
Coles chief economist, Peter Crone, predicted good growth in agriculture in the next 1013 years.
Chris Schreurs, from the entrepreneurial vegetable growing enterprise, Schreurs & Sons, enthralled the audience with a brief overview of his industry and the story of the familyowned company, which grows vegetables at six locations over 1000 acres, with 150 employees.