The economics of irrigated dual-purpose winter crops shows stellar returns CW NSW

The recent upward trend in livestock prices and the option of early grazing, dual purpose species can be  highly profitable alternatives for irrigators.

This study found Grain only crops sown early failed to exceed break-even thresholds on a $/ML gross margin analysis. All hard-grazed crops sown at two separate dates in March and April achieved break-even $/ML returns across all treatments of wheat, barley and canola. Grazing can be a good agronomic strategy if growers are concerned the crops are too advanced and there is minimal risk that stock will damage irrigation layouts.