MOREE, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA — Glencore Agriculture has outturned its first train for the season this week to meet domestic demand from the Australian east coast.

The train was loaded at Viterra’s Tailem Bend site and was set to arrive in Moree, New South Wales, on Sept. 28 to provide 2,800 tonnes of feed barley to areas affected by dry conditions.

David Wood, grain merchant with Glencore Agriculture, said more grain is expected to be headed in the same direction amid continuing poor seasonal conditions.

“Managing the logistics of grain domestically is a key focus this harvest,” Wood said. “It is important that we are getting grain to the right place at the right time, safely and efficiently. We are working closely with many end users to meet shortages using the most efficient mode of transport. Rail, road, and coastal vessels are being used to move grain across and around the country.”

Michael Hill, operations manager at Viterra Group, said Viterra Australia is facilitating outturns to help meet growers’ needs.

“We have removed Export Select status for both rail and road movements at key sites to allow the outturn of grain locally and make it easier for buyers to deliver grain to Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland,” Wood said. “The strong domestic requirement from the east coast means that pricing through the network is not typical of traditional port-based pricing less the cost of freight to port.

“Growers are strongly encouraged to look at individual site-based pricing at sites strategically located for domestic movements to take advantage of potential higher prices.”