COMMENT: Some surprises emerged from latest USDA world grain supply and demand report.

Mouse numbers on properties continue to rise despite warnings from AgForce and CSIRO.

VIDEO: A support program from GrainGrowers offers farming families personal assistance feedback normally only available to workers in the corporate world.

Wheat futures have continued to surge, lifting sharply since last week's USDA report.

With the planting window about to close for summer crops on the Darling Downs, some growers are willing to take a punt on delayed rainfall and plant grain/fodder crops.

Agricultural reforms are needed in India, but unions there say government consultation is lacking.

Those who are still holding wheat unsold are now asking whether they should sell now, or hold on for higher prices later in the year.

Argentina has surprised the grain trade by suspending export corn sales until the end of February.

The Thomas Elder Markets (TEM) team has been discussing the phase 1 deal as a major challenge for Australian agriculture for the past year, and expects that China will have to preference goods from the US in order to protect its export markets.

Wheat prices are high for a non drought year, but a lack of price premiums for higher quality wheat grades has annoyed some growers.