GrainGrowers’ recent successful Grain Marketing and Risk Management workshop in Coonamble attracted local growers eager to enhance their understanding of the grain marketing process.

Held on March 18, the half-day event, presented by Lachstock Consulting, provided valuable insights into navigating the complexities of grain contracts and risk management.

It was one of only two workshops in New South Wales, the other held in Wagga Wagga.

The Coonamble event attracted around 20 people, according to Chris Rowley from Grain Growers.

"Those that came along were really interested and involved in the marketing inormatoin that was presented.

With grain production at the heart of local agriculture, the workshop aimed to arm growers with the knowledge to market their grain successfully post-harvest, a key factor in driving long-term profitability.

Understanding how to handle market risks and pricing factors is essential for ensuring that grain production doesn’t just stay on the farm but translates into a profitable venture.

The 2024/2025 cropping season in Coonamble was a successful one, with favorable weather conditions leading to a strong harvest.

GrainCorp’s local site, the largest in its local network, surpassed 400,000 tonnes, underscoring the region's high agricultural output.

According to Area Manager, Tom Koerstz, the site’s success is a testament to the dedication and adaptability of the site team.

“We faced some delays while waiting on extra equipment, like mobile stackers, but our team adapted quickly and efficiently,” Mr Koertz said.

“Once the additional equipment and people arrived, we brought turnaround times back to standard and kept operations running smoothly.

“Overall throughput has been impressive, with peak days exceeding 23,500 tonnes across wheat, barley, and canola combined.”

The Coonamble team comprises a mix of seasoned locals and new recruits brought in to manage the bumper harvest.

 Coonamble is the largest site in GrainCorp's northern NSW network.

Looking ahead to the upcoming sowing period, the outlook remains positive.

Favorable rainfall forecasts suggest a strong start to 2025, positioning the region for another productive season.

However, global geopolitical factors could influence crop prices and planting decisions.

GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said the Coonamble workshop provided a fantastic opportunity for local growers to gain critical insights and knowledge.

“The materials presented this year were updated based on participant feedback and presented foundational information on the topic,” she said.

“In an increasingly complex grain market, the workshops highlighted what is driving prices globally and considerations around ensuring a profitable outcome once the crop has been harvested.”

The session provided an opportunity for local growers to better understand the grain marketing process, highlighting the importance of making informed decisions once the crop has been harvested.

The workshop also focused heavily on risk management associated with grain contracts, a key issue for farmers who often face volatile pricing.

Attendees were presented with real-life case studies, which demonstrated practical applications of the concepts and tools discussed.

This approach allowed participants to see how they could adapt these strategies to their own businesses, helping them make smarter marketing decisions.

The workshop also offered important insights into local and global grain markets, with updates on current pricing and the factors that drive fluctuations.

Participants were provided with an in-depth look at global price drivers, including geopolitical factors, and how these could impact local farming decisions.

The event was highly interactive, with many growers engaging with the presenter and asking detailed questions throughout the session.

Attendees discussed various examples of a hypothetical trading year.

For growers in and around Coonamble, this workshop doubled as an educational session and an essential tool for staying competitive in an ever-changing global market.

GrainGrowers said the Coonamble event has set a high standard for future sessions.