Progressive Agriculture Update

Hi all,
Welcome to our best edition yet. This one has some great info and the usual entertainment near the end.

Andrew Bomm

Water sales
Plenty of water auction results over the past couple of weeks, demonstrating further strength in entitlement markets. Murrumbidgee HS has hit $5,000 and GS has busted through the $2,000 mark, with results at the Wilks auction seeing sales between $2,100-$2,300.

In the Murray, MIL GS has gone for $1820.

What is the average price of temporary water across seasons? $140/ML at best? The returns on this asset are now similar to Sydney real estate. It’s taking on the vibe of a bubble.

DPI outlooks
It’s mid-May, which means another confusing seasonal water outlook from DPI Water. The interesting reading is the ‘chances of improvement table’ contained at the end of the recent allocation statements, which would be even more interesting if they bore closer resemblance to reality. Past scenario-based indications from the department have been poorly developed, so take them with a pinch of salt.

Podcast
A couple of weeks back I did a podcast on water markets with Jason Haines at QPL Rural. Have a listen here.

Listen Here

Mixed outlook
Mixed results from the recent weather pattern. Here in Wagga we had bugger all. Others are reporting just enough to keep things ticking along.

Looking ahead, the consensus is that strong climate drivers remain absent and anything could happen. Here’s the take from the Very Fast Break on the long-term outlook.

Watch Here

Trade wars: US v China
According to my Chinese sources, the Chinese government perceives that Australia has taken the US’ side on the trade issue. This isn’t correct, as the Turnbull government has been critical of Trump’s tariff increases. However, our support of other US criticisms of China at the same time this trade spat is playing out has created problems. Rightly or wrongly, the Chinese government expects us to back off when they are fighting conflict on other fronts.

The outcome has reportedly been a slowing of Australian exports’ access through Chinese borders. This makes a difference to Australian agricultural exporters, who face increased business uncertainty.

Pulse crops in the rotation
Here’s a good GRDC publication on the economics of including pulses in the cropping rotation.

Check It Out Here

ALP ahead
Forget about the Murdoch press talking up Turnbull, politics betting following the budget has the ALP still firmly in front:

ALP $1.50
Coalition $2.40

Confinement feeding
Jason Haines at QPL Rural is doing a cracking job with relevant podcast content. Here’s the latest one with Geoff Minchin from LLS, talking about managing feed for livestock during dry winter conditions.

Listen Here

All the conference dates
Conference season will be here soon. Dates and places as follows:

9-11 July: Innovation Generation (Graingrowers) – Wagga Wagga

2-3 August: Ricegrowers'
Association – Echuca

7-9 August: Cotton Australia
– Gold Coast

Trevor Slade, Member for Plath
More genius from Ash Walmsley is making its’ way onto the twitterbook, this time as the independent member for Plath, Trevor Slade. It’s a big dollop of Rob Oakeshott with a touch of Sir Joh. Great stuff.

Follow Here

Classic ad
Melbourne Bitter has made a massive comeback in recent years, as the mainstream beer of choice for Australia’s inner-city hipsters. Here’s a look back at how it used to be marketed.

Watch Here

Follow @progressiveagri on Twitter

Our mailing address is:
andrew@progressiveagriculture.com.au

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Progressive Agriculture · 13/120 Fitzmaurice Street · Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650 · Australia