Barley Society fights back

Press, 31 August 1984, Page 17

Barley Society fights back

The directors of the South Island Barley Society say they are concerned that a group interested in becoming involved in exporting barley has chosen to do so by exporting Triumph malting barley. Experience in this market would indicate that a single cargo of New Zealand Triumph offered by a new exporter would create difficulties, not only for that exporter in establishing his credibility among international buyers, but would also run the risk of establishing a lower value for all New Zealand Triumph on offer at that time, said the directors.

"We are well aware of the concern farmers have over current account liquidity and have had discussions with our own members and with Federated Farmers to examine the option available to us in solving this

problem,” they said,

As a result, the directors were quite sure that the solution did not lie in attempting to force grain on to the market for delivery in March/April with the consequent difficulties of port congestion or having to accept what may be unfavourable prices at that time.

“Our contact with farmers suggests that there is no enthusiasm for this proposed barley marketing group and we would question whether the support that they claim really exists,” said the directors. Barley growers will now be able to receive an advance payment at the time they sow their crop on barley contracted with the South Island Barley society. Growers who wish to use this facility will receive an advance of $2OO per hectare to cover crop establishment costs.

The barley society has also announced that the present advance payment facility, where growers can receive payment for grain after harvest, has been altered so that instead of these advances being available on April 1 as was the case this year, they will be available as soon as the farmer has harvested his crop and submitted a sample to the society.

The 1984 feed pool will shortly be finalised with the shipment of barley held in North Canterbury and growers will receive a final price of $2OO per tonne for August delivered barley and $202 for September delivery. The Barley Society is about to ship further Triumph malting barley to South America, following which the present interim price for the malting pool will be increased to $lBO per tonne.