BUNGUNYA farmer Alan Rae is taking advantage of ongoing record high fodder prices, selling low protein barley straw as a bulk filler for feedlot rations.
“It was only a light crop, but with barley making $400/t and straw at $250/t it’s proven a very worthwhile crop,” Mr Rae said.
“We had good planting rain and then 50mm in mid-August. Otherwise, there was no in crop rain.”
“The disadvantage is we’re losing the straw off the top surface, but at these prices it’s a good option.”
The crop yielded a modest 1.81t/hectare of 14 per cent high protein barley.
The 490kg square bales were headed to the Sturrock family’s Launcells Feedlot at Drillham, carted by local contractor Tony Robb.
The Rae’s have some 4000ha of cultivation country. The farming operation is organised around a rotation of barley, wheat and chickpeas. About 1000ha of each crop planned to be planted each year.
The wheat and barley is stored in the Rae’s on-property silo facility on Windamall. The barley reserve plays an important role in managing the Rae’s sheep and cattle nutritional requirements.
Mr Rae was also recently elected unopposed as the president of AgForce Sheep and Wool for a second term.
