November 7, 2007

Drought pushes Australia to import grains for animal feed

Intense drought and less winter crops has prompted to Australia to import grains to compensate for the loss.

The imported grains include wheat and rye from Canada, wheat from Britain, corn and sorghum from parts of the United States, a range of grains from Argentina and soy from Paraguay.

Agriculture minister Peter McGauran said government body Biosecurity Australia is also conducting pest and disease assessments for wheat and sunflower seed from Ukraine, corn from South Africa and corn from US states of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Australia first imported grains in 2003 also due to drought. However, it is the first for the country to source significant volumes of grains abroad.