There is rarely a dull day in Australian agriculture, and the past few weeks have been no exception.
A lingering summer program meant harvesting and planting operations were being carried out side-by-side on properties in many areas of the east coast, creating associated logistical issues that put farmers under the pump.
Sorghum from central Queensland through to the Liverpool Plains has been the primary source of grower inquiry this past week, and the northerners are well and truly into their harvest now.
Pricing in the Gladstone and Mackay Port Zones had been lingering around the $300 per tonne mark for a week or two.
But, as the headers get a roll-on and the early tonnes of grain hit the bins, values have modestly corrected to settle at about $290/t.
It is a different story in southern Queensland and northern NSW, where demand into Darling Downs container packers is leading to values of between $310/t and $320/t being achieved.
But these markets do command a healthy level of respect - and the quality needs to be "Mickey (No) Mouse".
Later harvested grain is proving to be better quality.
But autumnal conditions are not helping harvest progress, as shortened days and heavy dews are resulting in moisture levels that are stubborn to conform.
Many driers have had to have the cobwebs blown-out for the first time in several years.
Firm pricing is helping to offset the additional cost of bringing the grain into specification as harvest rolls-on into June.
The generally softer tone to wheat, barley and canola markets has resulted in growers focusing on planting.
Seeding in northern NSW and western Queensland districts is nearing completion, and the Darling Downs is about to crank-up into near ideal weather conditions.
There are plenty of wonderful cropping images being shared around the country on social media.
Many farmers are happy to report that they "only got bogged a few times", which is a welcome problem when considering the past few years.
Pricing is remaining historically strong, so growers are focusing on getting the crop sown and well established before engaging the forward market.
The past few season's experiences are still too fresh in everyone's minds.
With the planters going like the clappers ahead of forecast weather this coming week, it may be another quiet one for the grain marketers out there.
In other news, recently released data suggests a return to increased profitability for the feedlot sector in 2021-22.
A greater number of cattle are heading to the feedlots after the past 12-18 months of herd rebuilding, and there are replenished domestic feed stocks.
Successive droughts during the 2017-2020 period meant there was heavy livestock selling, resulting in the national cattle herd dwindling to its lowest level in 30 years.
Feeders stepping back in is welcome news for those still holding significant on-farm and depot stocks.
Being able to find a suitably priced and voluminous market has been somewhat of a challenge of late.
It is comforting to know that we may be able to get through a good portion of those tonnes ahead of new crop coming on stream.
