Livestock Feed Shortages Build in Australia

DONALD - Jul 4/01 - STAT -- Shortages of animal feed are worsening in Western Australia, prompting the Grain Pool of Western Australia to divert barley and possibly lupins from export markets to domestic livestock feeding channels.

General Manager Marketing Andrew Young said demand for feed barley continued to exceed supply on the domestic market due to ongoing dry conditions.

"Poor seasonal conditions and low production last season made this a very difficult year in terms of managing our export customers’ expectations," Young said. "However, because our primary responsibility is to Western Australian growers, we have made the decision to divert the additional tonnage away from the export market."

Young said prices would be based on current export parity values and while the barley would be available in all port zones, there could be restrictions in terms of tonnage and locations for supply.

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