Industry Updates from SEABAC Pre-Harvest Meeting

Industry Updates from Pre-Harvest Meeting

24 industry representatives joined the pre-harvest meeting in person at the Inverleigh Hotel in Inverleigh and 3 industry representatives joined virtually on the 28^thof September 2022. SEABAC values the vital and ongoing support of the barley industry for these important meetings.

There were 13 topics on the agenda for discussion, with some key points as follows:

Barley Australia, Wheat Quality Australia and Grains Industry Market Access Forum (GIMAF) have successfully merged with Grains Australia (GA) and GA has also assumed responsibility for the National Working Party on Grain Protection.
- Recently announced that Richard Simonaitis has been appointed the new CEO of Grains Australia and will commence 1^st November 2022.
- Barley Australia activities, including Malting Barley Accreditation, continuing business as usual.

SEABAC webpage updated with key news and events as well as, upcoming and previous meeting documents uploaded to the SEABAC members only section.
- Barley Australia website (including SEABAC webpage) remains active now until Grains Australia website rebuild and will continue to be updated

Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) provided an update on the release of their new barley variety Titan AX.

Grower, agronomists and farming groups provided updates on the seasonal conditions for their growing regions
- Barley crops have maintained very good resistance to the high disease pressure year, especially compared to wheat crops
- Planting area of barley is down due to the price of canola at harvest time
- 2022 is shaping to be a high yielding year with above average winter rainfall and a very wet spring
- Harvest looks to commence two weeks later than normal given long prolong the wet cool spring

Agriculture Victoria provided a pathology update on recent surveys performed in the Southern growing region.

University of Tasmania presented on recent findings from their research into the water tolerance of barley varieties and their suitability for irrigation.

GrainCorp discussed potential market access challenges for barley varieties that contain the IMI chemistry.

The Australian trade provided insight to the market outlook for the 2022 season
- Logistic issues, container shortages and the Black Sea instability were discussed

Discussion was held around the domestic feed market 2022 and the market outlook for 2023
- Surplus of feed wheat may have an impact of feed barley demand

SECOBRA/Seednet provided an update on the progress of Laperouse in Stage 2 of the malt accreditation program and discussed new varieties in the pipeline.

Seed Force discussed new dual-purpose malting and distilling varieties in the pipeline
- SeedForce will change their branding to RAGT as of 1^st Jan 2023

CBH discussed sustainability in barley, the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the status of the Australian grains industry.
- Demand for sustainable barley is as high as all other commodities internationally