Australia: Barley growers to share AU$6 mil in first distribution

Barley growers across South Australia will from April 19 share in almost AU$6 million worth of first distribution payments from ABB Grain�s 2006/2007 pools, according to ABB�s media release, April 18.

Growers who delivered malting barley into ABB�s 2006/2007 pools will receive AU$150/tonne, or more than 40% of the estimated grower return (EGR) for the grain.

Growers who delivered feed barley into the pool will receive a payment of AU$120/t, or approximately 50% of the EGR.

Payments for both will be subject to research fees and pro rata freight charges. The following also will be applied against these payments: receivals, initial storage and segregation and a port and shipping fee of AU$22/t for malting and AU$19/t for feed.

ABB Grain�s executive manager group marketing, Gary Spiel, said that the first distribution for feed barley � around 50% of EGR � was, as a proportion of the EGR, much higher than in previous years.

�This is a reflection of the extremely small crop in South Australia in the 2006 harvest but also, as a result, we have had much greater outturns than in previous years,� Mr Spiel said.

�The next distribution to growers from the 2006/2007 barley pools is scheduled to be made in July.�

Last month, growers in SA and Victoria shared AU$3.4 million in payments following the distribution of �top up� payments for the 2006/2007 barley pools. The payments of AU$60/t for malting and AU$15/t for feed were automatically paid to growers who supported ABB�s traditional barley pools.