Much-needed rain for Queensland winter crops

Totals were variable with the farmers in the eastern Darling Downs enjoying 12mm to upwards of 25mm. Jondaryan received 26mm and Oakey 21mm while Dalby and Macalister saw 13mm.

Falls were lighter in the western Downs where Miles and Meandarra only received 5-10mm for the week. Roma, Surat and St George saw 15-20mm. Rainfall totals were variable around Goondiwindi ranging from less than 10mm to 20mm to the west.

The variable pattern extended south into NSW where totals in the north west of the state ranged from 20mm at Moree to traces further west around Collarenebri and Walgett.

While farmers were hoping for a more significant rainfall event, last week's falls will help crops establish, with most areas seeing little rain since early March. Above average rainfall in the first 12 weeks has set Queensland grain farmers up with good subsoil moisture and above average yield potential but farmers are holding out for a general 20-40mm in the coming weeks to allow winter crops to set roots into the subsoil moisture.

Remnants of Cyclone Mangga delivered beneficial rain for WA grain farmers on Sunday night.

Old crop wheat values continued to drift lower last week amid the absence of any significant fresh demand. Declining feedlot numbers has seen grain demand fall, leaving many buyers with more grain supplies than they had expected.

Queensland cattle on feed numbers fell by 113,422 head in the January to March 2020 quarter down from the record highs in the December quarter, according to the latest ALFA and MLA survey released early last week.

ALFA president Bryce Camm said the declines didn't come as a surprise with feedlot operators struggling with the high cattle prices after the seasonal change. He said feedlot numbers were expected to remain subdued in the coming months given the demand uncertainty due to COVID-19 and continued strong cattle prices.

New crop barley bids were generally firmer in most port zones last week, but sellers remain scarce. There appeared to be some new crop selling in some areas when the China tariff was first announced but dried up quickly.

Global wheat tentatively edged higher last week as buyers become more concerned over dry weather across the Black Sea and Europe.