Environment and Sustainability, Freight Rail

Season’s first domestic Viterra train heads to east coast

Glencore Agriculture has sent its first train of the season to Australia’s east coast to provide feed barley to areas affected by the ongoing drought.

A train was loaded with 2,800 tonnes of feed barley last week at Viterra’s Tailem Bend site in South Australia. It arrived in Moree, NSW on Friday, September 28.

Glencore Agriculture grain merchant David Wood said more grain will head 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.”

Viterra Group operations manager Michael Hill said Viterra was facilitating outturns to help meet the needs of growers.

“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,” Hill explained.

“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.”