Farmers from across the central and western districts gathered in Forbes to hear the latest global and local market insights, as Rabobank brought its travelling “Rabo truck” to town.

Clients from Forbes, Condobolin, Cowra, Parkes, Grenfell, Orange, Euabalong, West Wyalong and Wagga Wagga joined the event, where Rabobank analyst Vitor Pistoia shared his outlook on grain, oilseeds and pulse markets.

But it was also an opportunity for the rural community to get together.

Vitor Cacula Pistoia is an analyst with the Rabobank Research team, specialising in grain and oil seed markets, insights he shared to help local growers with their planning for the coming harvest season.

While the forecast for cereals such as wheat and barley remains subdued, there is more positive news for canola and pulses, with continuing strong price expectations and potential export opportunities on the horizon, he said.

Despite challenging seasons for many growers from Forbes to the south, there is potential for a national cereal crop above average with some carry-over wheat from 2024.

The global feed market is also better supplied than last year, Mr Pistoia said.

The good news, as the region turns yellow with flowering canola, is that price predictions for canola and pulses are significantly better although there are international market factors that could have a significant influence.

There is the potential for China to enter the market for Australian canola following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit and the announcement of five trial shipments,

Australia continues to supply the EU, particularly with non-GM canola.

“Price wise we are expecting canola to be range-bound where they have been last year – somewhere low to mid $700s port price for non-GM,” Mr Pistoia said.

“For those that produce GM a little bit softer price.”

Faba beans and chickpeas are on the rise in the region and Mr Pistoia also expects these to be comparable with last year as exports to India need to continue, although it’s harder to forecast long-term.

Rabobank area manager Mark Harris said the good turn-out showed the value the event brought to the region.

“It’s that global insight and broad depth of knowledge that Vitor and the Rabo Research team bring to local communities and distill down to something that can be meaningful,” he said.

The night was also an invaluable networking event for growers, a chance to talk through this season – the consensus that it’s running up to a month later than usual.

The Autumn break came late and winter has been drier than average, with small, showery events rather than widespread significant rain through the winter.

Forbes airport has recorded less than 200mm of rain for the year to date, just 50.4mm or two inches for June and July, but a soft Spring could still benefit them.

The Bureau of Meteorology continues to forecast wetter than average conditions for September to November.

“A mild spring would certainly support local growers, with some of the forecast rainfall,” Mr Harris said.