Market reports:Feed wheat up – and down – on Russian rumours

Feed wheat prices have continued to fluctuate over the past week, following rumours about import requirements to Russia.

As Farmers Weekly went to press, feed wheat was worth about £136/t ex-farm for harvest movement – relatively unchanged on the week. However, farmer selling was extremely quiet, with harvest slowed by rain and half the crop already sold, said Julian Walker at Shropshire Grain. “A lot of the as-available supplies are not yet available, which has perked up the spot trade. Wheat for immediate movement wouldn’t be worth any more for October or even November.”

Milling wheat premiums had also improved, with quality of wheat remaining to be cut under threat from the warm, wet weather, combined with strong export demand. Group 1 prices increased by £5/t on the week, to about £162/t ex-farm for spot movement.

David Sheppard, managing director of Gleadell Agriculture, said farmers should do their utmost to keep good-quality milling wheat separate from feed wheat this year. “Much of the wheat combined to date is of good quality and will be needed at some stage this season at good premiums over feed. It is one of those years where everything will need sampling.”