Price Marketing and Economic Information

Australian Agricultural Marketing Sites 

Agricultural Marketing Information Reporting Services

This service is designed purely for primary producers to effectively and efficiently manage the marketing and selling of their commodities. All offers are immediately sent via the AMIRS service directly to you from prospective purchasers allowing you full and total control of over marketing and sales. 

Also of interest is AMIRS Agricultural Competitor Intelligence Service which utilises a wide range of contacts within Australia and overseas (importers, exporters and links within the agricultural trade) to provide access to new markets and match your produce direct with importers, bypassing excessive broker and agent fees. 

AMIRS also offers a free Wool Appraisal Service. This is stage one of the full process where AMIRS provide the technology for wool producers to independently calculate the appraisal of their clip lines on a regular basis. In the current model, the calculator appraises wools between 15 and 32 micron in all categories. 

There is no obligation on your part to offer your wool within this system or to align yourself to any third party. You are free to use the system to appraise your wool to keep track of the market and to verify any offers you may have received.

Auctions Plus

Auction Plus opperates both as an online auction site for the livestock industry and as an 'Application Service Provider' to the online auction industry. 

Once inside the livestock site, you may view auction catalogues that provide details on the dates and times of upcoming auctions. The featured sales on the site include photos and details of the livestock for sale. Market Comments' is a weekly market report on CALM and Auction Plus sales. In order to view or participate in an auction you must first register and download the appropriate software, which can also be done on this page. The download process is user-friendly, and FAQ page is available for any problems you may have. Various tools are available, such as assessment forms, and even post sale insurance forms.

AusFeed Australia

AusFeed Australia source quality agricultural feed commodities as processed products and ingredients for use in the agriculture and primary industries. The web site outlines basic information about the company, information on some of its products and contact details.

Ausmarket Consultants

Ausmarket is a consultancy offering market information for the horticultural industry. 

The site advertises their market reports, which are available via email or s:mail, and their quality monitoring and temperature management services. 

An order form is available for printing and returning by mail or fax. The site also includes an index of sellers and crops at the Brisbane markets.

Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society

Information on the Society, including membership information, contacts, publications, news and announcements, and special interest groups. 

The site also provides information on society events, such as the annual conference, symposia, workshops etc. The site provides information on The Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics. 

The whole-farm modelling group operates an email mailing list. 

Australian Barley Board

The sites main areas are the 'Growers', 'Buyers', 'Information' and 'Corporate' sections. 

The corporate section includes information on the Board's structure, management, finances, its Annual Report, and risk management. 

The growers' section includes, marketing options, pricing information (for cash, estimated silo returns or pool) grower contacts, receival specifications, frequently asked questions and lots more. 

The buyers section has a range of information available relating to both domestic (sales terms, products etc) and international trade (container trade, bulk shipments, international contacts etc). 

The Information section contains the chairman's newsletter, media releases, school project information, plant variety fact sheets and more.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE)

ABARE's mission is "to provide high quality economics policy analysis and forecasts in order to enhance the competitiveness of Australia's agricultural and resource industries and the quality of the Australian environment". 

The A.B.A.R.E site contains information on the Bureau, including press releases, its services and contacts, data sales, current work program and publications catalogue (in pdf) are available. 

Some publications, research reports and conference papers are published on the site and video and audio clips from the annual Outlook conference are available. 

Additionally there is information on ABARE’s wide ranging economic activities pertaining to agriculture, agricultural trade reform, climate change, commodity analysis, energy, grains, fisheries, forestry, land and water and minerals economics. 

A wide variety of products are available for purchase in a wide variety of categories through the ABARE online shop at http://abareonlineshop.com. 

Australian Dairy Corporation

This site contains information on the Corporation, including its activities, structure, media releases, industry and corporate news, and publications (including an online order form). 

Also available is an overview and statistical profile on the Australian dairy industry and its markets, along with The Australian Dairy Industry in Focus publication (in pdf). The ADC Report and Market Review newsletters are published online, while the annual report is available in pdf. 

Consumer-oriented information on dairy nutrition, butter, milk, cheese and recipes is also provided.

Australian Foods

AFC is one of WA's leading agribusiness marketing companies supplying premium quality cereals, pulses, oilseeds and stockfeeds to countries in the Middle East, South-East Asia, Europe and the Indian Sub-continent. Australian Foods Company was established in 1998 with the objective of exporting grain products farmer direct to the world. 

The site provides a company profile with information on corporate philosophy, editorials on the AFC, products and services and the AFC Business Model. 

Detailed product specifications are provided with links to related sites. Information is supplied on current Australian prices on a state by state basis with a search facility, information being selected by season and crops. The AFC Trading Lounge for growers and traders requires online registration. The site includes a Growers Club which provides information on charges, prices, statistics and marketing contracts plus detailed maps documenting rainfall and rainfall comparisons provided by the Bureau of Meteorology. There is also a Traders Club, which provides details of Buying and Selling, Grain, Brokerage, News and Grain statistics. 

Australian Wool Exchange

The site provides information on the Exchange, including contacts, rules, services, and events. It provides access to the subscription-based Wooltrak market reports, with sample reports available for non-subscribers. 

The market reports are based on the new AWEX-ID description system (defined in terms of the major measurable wool characteristics like micron, VM%, length and strength), and are available via a number of distribution methods including subscription fax, dial up fax, mail, voice messages, E-mail and Internet web site and on line electronic access. You can inquire online about the subscription rates for these services. 

The "Quality" section provides information on current quality issues and various registration requirements. 

Statistics are provided on wool sales along with sales information. The Wool Exchange News is also provided online, as are the latest media releases. 

The "Industry Projects" section gives a brief overview of timely industry projects and activities. 

Australan Wool Innovation

AWI is responsible for providing research, development, innovation and wool services to levy paying wool producers through Australia. 

This site offers sections including Corporate Information, Price Maker, Business Analysis, Media and Trade Policy. 

The on-line Pricemaker assists Australian woolgrowers to obtain an estimated value for their fleece based on the premiums or discounts for important value-determining attributes: fibre diameter, vegetable matter content, staple strength, staple length, unscourable colour and style. 

Business Analysis offers membership, publications, news for members, data store including fibre prices and latest monthly wool exports plus a global wool news analysis. 

The Trade Policy section offers News, Research, and Information about Tariffs on wool and proposed Wool Product definitions. 

AWB Limited

The AWB site contains information about the AWB (vision and mission statements, corporate structure, business units etc), grain storage centres, grain marketing and grain products (pulses, wheat, feedgrains), media releases and community education. Also included is information on investor relations, financial services a What's New section, the latest industry news and a calendar of events relating to the industry. 

Australian Wool Network

The Australian Wool Network (AWN) is a vertically integrated wool brokerage alliance between wool grower and wool processor (a joint venture between a selected number of wool growers and a leading group of international textile manufacturers). The AWN site offers a number of options for selling your wool clip ,including the traditional open auction, sale by private treaty, electronic sale, forward contracts and more. 

The site also offers local and industry news (updated regularly), a sales roster for the northern region, a downloads area ( including pdf files of Rainfall Chart, Shed Weight Book, Pesticide Usage Declaration, Shed Tally Book , and Classer's Specification) and a stud finder service.

Beefnet

BeefNet is a beef marketing support network that was formed in June 1997. It is a producer initiated scheme established with the aid of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). 

The BeefNet newsletter is available through the site, as is a list of over 90 BeefNet alliances, listings of property and livestock for sale, and the latest beef industry news. 

Brisbane Markets

Information on the Brisbane Markets and the Brisbane Market Authority such as market activities, the board, the Markets management, its aims as well as facts and figures. 

The site details trading hours, a map of the Markets, a Market vendor directory, a kids educational area and The Market Times newsletter is available for download (in pdf). 

The site offers an agent/crop matching service, where you can send your details to the Brisbane Market Corporation. The site is also developing and e-delivery advice system for those who use the markets.

Butter Producers' Co-operation Federation Ltd

The Butter Producers' Co-operation Federation trades in butter and butterfat products. This site gives details on what products they are willing to buy as inputs, and various products they make to sell. A list of the specifications of their produce can be viewed through a link on the site.

Capgrains Co-operative

A co-operative marketing endeavour by a number of Central Queensland grain and cattle producers. 

The site provides contacts and information on the co-operative's products and services. There are details of, and links to farm equipment/machinery for sale, beef and grain market reports and a weed/insect/chemical identifier.

Cargill Australia

See under Technical Production. Included here for its pricing for oilseed and grain, details on the futures market and foreign exchange, and market commentary.

Cattle Facts Market Intelligence

This site is produced by Australian CattleFacts, the independent, cattlemen owned market intelligence network. Its services aim to help cattle producers maximise their returns when they sell cattle. There are three ways you can use the site - as a Casual visitor, a Registered Guest or as a CattleFacts Member. 

Registered users get their own confidential "Username" and "Password". This works as a shortcut to avoid a lot of typing when you need to supply contact details. As a registered guest you also get a discount when using the 'over-the-hooks' sales' analysis tool, EQUALISER and also when you take out CattleFacts membership. 

Members can access CattleFacts detailed market reports that compare real works prices between buyers for all types of cattle. CattleFacts market outlook reports also let you see what is driving prices and where prices are likely to be heading. Active CattleFacts Members also receive an information packed "Market Views" newsletter by email, weekly and sometimes up to three times weekly when rates change quickly. 

Colly Cotton Marketing

The Colly Cotton homepage shows the latest Colly Cash Prices, New York Futures prices, Market Highlights and more. You can subscribe to have this page emailed to you if you wish. 

A brief market commentary is also provided through the site, along with contact details for Grower service, Risk Manager, International Sales and Warehouse and Shipping representatives. 

Co-operative Bulk Handling (WA) Ltd

Information on CBH (WA), including contacts, services, facilities, press releases, the Annual Report, Harvest 99/00 Reports, the Harvest 99/00 Summary Report, and Bulk Briefs. 

The site offers ‘CBH Internet Services’ which, once registered, allows users to interactively view information online related to your deliveries of grain to CBH, submit grain estimate information and much more. 

CBH also offers a detailed harvest delivery information service. Information is presented on warehousing, receival site details (sorted by site, by grain, or by acquirer), fees & charges, and new grower registration.

Commodity Hedging Co

Information on commodity hedging, particularly the approach used by this firm, and cotton market commentaries. 

The site includes an online brochure, a number of media interviews conducted by the sites principal commentator, links to other resources, a biographical overview of W.D. Gann (who’s forecasting methods are often emulated by the Commodity Hedging co.), a product overview, an information request form, ‘hammer time’ (where the forcasts of other commentators are put under the microscope), and some client testimonials.

Cotton World

Cotton World is a database of articles on issues within the cotton industry. The home page contains the leading articles, as well as a simple map of the site. Audio visual presentations are also available. The weather section contains forecasts and 'records and averages' for most areas in Queensland and New South Wales. 

The site also contains a currency converter for over 400 different countries, guest articles, as well as soil and area profiles, with the majority of contribution coming from the Department of Primary Industries. 

Cybersell

Market reports on Victorian cattle and sheep markets, the AWB's weekly market report, and reports on wool, grains and beef markets. Also available are some local classified advertisements.

Dairy Page

An initiative of the Queensland dairy industry to create an "online community" for the industry. 

The site is presented in a magazine-style format, with feature articles, stories, and industry news and events. There is also regular column-style information, such as that relating to policy issues and farming advice.

Datafresh

This site advertises the firms subscription-based service for Melbourne Market information, including price reports, out-turn reports and temperature monitoring reports. A subscription form is available for printing out. The site concludes with a useful set of links for fruit and veg information.

Dunavant

Dunavant claim to be the largest cotton merchant in the World, with an annual turnover in excess of four million bales. The Dunavant team works with a vertically integrated ginning and delivery system, ensuring their customers benefit from efficiencies in ginning, marketing and transportation. 

The site contains basic corporate information and contact details for their Grower Service offices in Brisbane, Dalby, Emerald, McIntyre, Moree, the Namoi Valley and Warren. 

Elders

The Elders web site is extensive, and in some cases effectively contains sites within the site. A case in point is the banking section. It contains information about the Elders banking service, online Internet banking, deposit rates, interest earning deposits, cash management accounts, everyday accounts, farm management deposits, seasonal finance packages, visa cards, term loans, treasury services and more… 

Similarly, the real estate section is extensive, and also practically constitutes a site in its own right. It includes a database, which can be accessed by the categories of 'Buy', 'Rent' or 'Sell', which in turn offers the sub categoies of ‘residential’, 'holiday homes/units, ‘rural’, ‘commercial/business’. Properties can then be further identified by region (e.g. state, post code, suburb), price range, and land use. 

The merchandise section provides information on ‘horticulture focus’, seeds, soil testing services, agronomic services, ‘broadacre focus’ and irrigation. For each service, a list of offices and contacts is provided. 

Insurance services listed on the site include cover for business, crop, farm, home, landlords, life, livestock, boat, car and rural replacement. 

The livestock area contains information on genetics, livestock services, feedlots, custom processing, market reports and meat marketing. 

The wool section provides information on the wool sales roster, market reports, wool exports, Elders risk management, a wool calculator and other Elders services. 

The site also contains the mostly self explanatory areas named ‘Elders News’, ‘Elders International’, ‘Market Reports’ and ‘About Elders’.

Ezigrain

Ezigrain is an AusBulk Ltd initiative developed to provide resources for those involved in Australia's Grain Industry. Ezigrain provides topical information and a range of useful services to assist grain growers, warehousers, transporters and marketers in managing their business more effectively. 

The Ezigrain site providing information such as Grain News, Regional Weather, Grain Market Reports, the Growers Action Planner (a joint initiative with GRDC), Receival Quality Standards, Grain Industry contacts, web links and fact sheets. 

Those growers and organisations delivering to or storing grain in the AusBulk or Australian Bulk Alliance (ABA) storage systems can securely access their own unique grain delivery, stock and marketing information, 24 hours a day (e.g. Receival Prices, Online Warehouse Transfers, Status of Warehouse Transfers, Delivery Ticket Information, Stock Reports, On Farm Pickup Reports as well as Silo Opening and Closing Times). 

Farm Horizons

Farm Horizons is an independent information service that is designed to assist farmers and agribusiness participants in making decisions about their businesses. Farm Horizons aims to provide farmers with strategic and tactical market information, and access to business management and decision making tools or systems, to enable them to build their profitability in a commercial market environment. 

Access to full service is available by membership subscription. However information is available in two main areas - Dairy and Grain. Information under the Dairy heading includes News, downloadable Market trends with reports, milk prices, and Companies and Input Prices. Published articles provide information on consumers, food, technology, strategy and tactics and there are links to related sites. 

Under the heading of Grain the site provides news and information on markets, farm inputs, reviews and analysis, trade talks and links. The latest market quotes are also available.

FarMarCo

FarMarCo is a grain and cotton market consultancy firm with branches in Toowoomba, Wagga and Bendigo. The site provides information on the firm, including Offices, contacts and its marketing and risk management services. Samples of its subscription-based publications, Market Outlook, Strategy Update, CottonWatch and Futures Summary are provided. Online subscription is available.

GH Michell & Sons (Aust) Pty Ltd

Primarily an advertisement for Michell's wool and leather products, with firm contacts, information on each product, the firm's facilites etc. 

The site also contains a wool market report, and information for growers on the various direct sale options and contracts Michell has with growers. 

Gilgandra Marketing Co-operative

A basic site outlining the aims of the co-operative, with contact details. 

Grainco Australia

Information on the company, including its board and management, operational network, contacts, annual report, shareholder information, media releases and speeches, as well as news and events. 

The site provides a database of daily cash prices, searchable by commodity. 

The section on “grower services & harvest info” provides information on winter seed planting, warehousing, crop credit and merchandise. 

Also on the site are separate homepages for the Globex bulk handling subsidiary, providing information on its facilities and services, and general information and contact details, with an online email contact form provided. 

GrainCorp

The central feature of the GrainCorp site is a database of cash prices and estimated pool returns, searchable by grade and site. Other information available on the site includes press releases, a buyers page (which is password protected for members/buyers), marketing information, technical services, a list of service centers, storage sites, shareholder information, the annual report, newsletters, and employment information. 

Market Check Wool

Price risk reports for registered woolgrowers. You just enter your flock details, and the system provides regular fax or email bulletins on price risk management strategies, providing an information basis for forward and futures sales strategies. A demonstration of the system is provided at the site, along with information on how to subscribe to the system.

Meat and Livestock Australia

This site is caters to both the general public/consumers and those involved in the industry. 

For consumers there are recipes, cooking advice, food safety and nutritional information and school project information. 

For Industry, the MLA press releases are published, along with an extensive section on industry news and hot topics. 

The 'Market Information' section provides an overview of what is happening in various domestic and export markets. The section 'About the Industry' discusses production and processing from paddock to plate. 

Mohair Australia

Information on Mohair fibre and Angora goats. Included here for its market reporting information.

Murray Valley Citrus Marketing Board

Information on the citrus industry in the Murray Valley, including varietal and production information. Also information on the activity of the local Citrus Information Technology Transfer Group.

Namoi Cotton

Namoi Cotton is one of Australia's largest fully integrated ginning, marketing, warehousing and shipping organisation - selling cotton to many of the world's major cotton processing markets, including Japan, Indonesia and Thailand. 

The site is divided into five major categories relating to growers, investors, employment, contact information and information about the company. The site also offers recent news, media releases and daily market reports. 

Ozcotton

Ozcotton is included here for its links to commodity price information on Cotton, Wheat, Corn, Canola and Soy via the www.futuresource.com web site. Also included is trading for the Oz dollar, a range of pricing tools, the Ecom Weekly Market Report, and a link to the Weil Brothers weekly market report. 

The Ozcotton site also offers a calendar of events, links to industry news stories, a bulleting board and live chat room, a range of industry related links and lots more. 

ProduceLinks.com

ProduceLinks.com, is a large, alphabetically arranged, free list of produce and agricultural industry websites from around the world. Use ProduceLinks.com to help you find new suppliers, customers, services, interesting facts, recipes and so much more.

Queensland Cotton Corporation

Information about Queensland Cotton Corporation Ltd, with information categorised for 'For The Grower' (media releases, news reports), 'For The Investor' (copmany structure, share prices, reports, AGM), 'For The Market' (for buyers of raw cotton), and 'For The Environment' (soil, water, pests & disease). 

South Australia Food Online

This site offers a showcase of South Australian food products and incorporates a 'Buyers Hub' which provides you with an interactive list of products, packaging options, export destinations and company contacts for South Australia. You can browse the Buyer’s Hub by selecting a food category from the sidebar menu, or take advantage of the Buyer's Search, to find exactly what you want. 

The 'Food Biz' section provides information and contacts for organisations to help you expand your production and marketing techniques, extend your demand chains and enter new markets. 'E-Groups' (or mailing lists) can also be operated through the site to facilitate discussion and networking within the South Australian food and beverage industry. 

Sydney Futures Exchange

The Sydney Futures Exchange provides extensive information on futures and options trading, including contract specification and information on how to trade, margins and fees etc. 

Information on the Exchange includes hours of operation, history, publications, regulation and contacts. 

Products traded include wool, wheat, bank bills, bonds, shares, and electricity. 

Daily and historical market data can be accessed via a searchable database, or received on a monthly basis by email. Links to other exchanges are also provided.

Sydney Markets

The Sydney Markets web site serves and a common entry point to Sydney’s major markets – the ‘Produce market’, the ‘flower market’, the ‘growers market’, ‘paddy’s market’, the ‘fresh food’ market and the ‘swap and sell’ market. 

Information is provided about each of the markets in varying detail, but generally includes the benefits of using the markets, hours of operation and contacts.

The Farmshed

With backing from the likes of Wesfarmers Dalgety and Rural Press, The Farmshed has become a major player as a provider of agricultural goods, services and information. 

Initially the site provides industry news, weather, finance, market and futures prices, and commentaries for a number of agricultural sectors including cotton, dairy, grain, livestock, sugar and wool. 

The Farmshed site facilitates the purchase of farm merchandise online, with products available for browsing in the categories of 'Animal Health', 'Crop Protection', and 'Fencing'. 

An online newsletter is available to registered members (registration is free), as is access to the 'Market Intelligence' service which provides timely information on the outlook and trading in forward and cash markets. Information which can assist with production planning, marketing and hedging decisions. 

The Grain Pool of Western Australia

Information on the organisation, including its history, structure, services, contacts, and its AgraCorp subsidiary trading in non-statutory grains. 

The ‘education’ section provides general information on a number of grains, a rural dates calendar, and publications such as annual reports, and a corporate plan. The site offers thorough information on the prices of the grains in which it is involved. Price details include those of the Grain Pool Prices and AgraCorp Cash Prices. Assisting with the net calculations for the sale of a crop, this section also offers a listing of freight charges (rail and road) from each receival point within W.A. 

The 'News/Information' area contains current and archived press releases, news extracts, and a corporate message. 

Separate sections of information are also provided for ‘growers’ and ‘buyers’ detailing freight charges, forms and documents, and shipping information etc. 

TJ Teague (SA) Pty Ltd

TJ Teague (SA) Pty Ltd are Adelaide-based seed and grain brokers. 

The site facilitates the trade of a number of seed/grain products, complete with descriptions, photos and technical information. Offers to buy or sell can be lodged online after registering with the service. 

The site also provides market reports, information on the firm and staff contacts, some seed and grain industry information, fact sheets on seed and grain issues and an online inquiry form.

Weil Brothers

The Weil Brothers web site offers market commentary on the national and international cotton market, the latest New York cotton futures prices, indicative cash price, and indicative exchange rate. A weekly market report is published offering a market summary, technical summary, Australian dollar/economic news, a US export sales report, a northern hemisphere roundup and an international news section. An Australian crop report has also been published to the site.

Wesfarmers Landmark

There are a number of major sections to this site as well as a search facility, site map, contacts, affiliates page and links page. 

'About Us' provides general information on the services the company provides on wool, livestock, real estate, merchandise, insurance, finance and grain sourcing. 

'News' includes news and articles of general rural interest, as well as more strictly corporate news. 

The section on 'Wool' includes wool market information such as daily prices, futures prices, the Wool Weekly, Wool Watch and Futures & Forwards market commentaries. There is also a facility for users to generate their own price graphs. There is also a section on risk management. 

The section on 'Livestock' includes market information, including the weekly Stock Watch market summary, and a searchable databases of livestock and clearing sales. 

The 'Insurance' section provides information on Wesfarmers Landmark insurance products (Farm, Crop, Livestock, Home & Contents, Motor Vehicle and Business Insurance). An online form is available for requesting insurance quotes. 

The 'Real Estate' section is a searchable database of property listing by region, price and type of property. Considerable detail is provided on each property. A water exchange (for the buying and selling of water licences) is also available, as are advertisements for forthcoming Wesfarmers Landmark clearing sales. 

The Finance' section provides information on Wesfarmers Dalgety's finance services and its deposit interest rates. 

The section on Merchandise' includes the Agronomy Today newsletter with seasonal agronomy advice, information on, and reviews of new products for better farming, and the company’s merchandise services. 

Winetitles

A great site, particularly for wine buffs, but also contains relevant information for producers. 

The heart of the site is an extensive set of winery listings and information for wine consumers. 

Other information is provided on Australian wine production, exports, etc, industry news, a directory of retailers, variety and regional information, vintage reports, a wine quiz, feature stories, a guest book and discussion forum, an email newsletter, information on wine tours and publications. 

Information for producers includes a directory of suppliers, a section on research and publications. The research section provides home pages for the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology and the Grape and Wine R&D Corporation (see under Technical Production Information.). The Society's home page provides information on objectives, membership, the Executive Committee, and the contents of seminar proceedings. 

Abstracts of publications such as The Australian and New Zealand Wine Industry Journal, Australian and New Zealand Wine Industry Directory, and the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research are provided. 

Online ordering of publications is available. The Software section lists software available for producers, vendors and consumers.

Wool Industry Promotions Association

General information on the Association, including contacts and activities, and a discussion forum on wool marketing issues.

wool.com - everything wool

This site offers weekly wool pricing indicators and the latest industry news. 

Links are prominant for The Woolmark Company, Australian Wool Innovation, and the Woolmark Business Intelligance Service. 

Numerous other sections of the site contain corporate information, R & D developments, wool design ideas and developments, licencing, sportswool, 3D virtual interiors, international web sites for woolmark and lots more. 

wool.net.au

This site links to market reporting information gathered by other sites, advertises software aimed at assisting wool buying and selling and links to some news sites.

Some Overseas Agricultural Marketing Sites 

Agricultural Market Information Virtual Library - Michigan State University

A directory of agricultural market information sites on the Web. 

Categories include new sites, 'Market Reports and Prices', 'Markets, Exchanges and Quotes', 'Links and Other Sources and E-commerce sites', 'Email and Discussion Groups', and 'Weather, Farm Journals and a Currency and Unit Converter'. 

A short description of each site is provided.

Bremer Woll-Kämmerei

Wool processing firm of Bremen, Germany. Its site is mainly useful for its daily and weekly wool market reports (in pdf). 

Canadian Grain Commission

An extensive site relating to the Canadian grains industry. The site offers information about the Commission, harvest/export quality data, regulation information, statistics, the latest industry news and publications, and a breakdown of the services offered by the Commission.

Chicago Board of Trade

This site provides considerable information on futures trading including background information and contract specifications. It provides information on the operation of the Board, including press statements, services, and publications. 

Commodities traded include corn, soybeans, wheat and oats, as well as financial and other securities. The 'Market Information' section provides a searchable database of daily, weekly and annual market commentaries on the commodities traded, 'agricultural data cards' on corn, wheat and soybean supply data, and statistical reports and databases of prices on a daily, monthly and annual basis.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange

Trades in cattle, pork bellies, and dairy products, as well as currencies and financial products. Prices are available on a 5-minute, daily and weekly basis. 

The site also provides information on the Exchange and its operations, including educational material on trading such as an online trading simulation, Exchange news, information on electronic trading opportunities, and a list of Member firms.

Fintrac

A US agribusiness market research and information technology firm. 

Fintrac conducts customized market and technical research on fresh produce, processed foods, flowers, spices and other agribusiness products worldwide, with an emphasis on entering the North American, major Asian, Middle Eastern, and European markets. GAIN is Fintrac's award winning global Agribusiness Information Network, producing market and postharvest bulletins, production guidelines, and daily price reports on markets in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. 

The site offers information on The Company, including staff and associates, products and services, market research, technical consulting and other company Internet sites. The site publicises Post Harvest technology, Development consulting, Internet Solutions and Market information. The site also contains News Releases, Client Lists and Testimonials, plus the Fintrac Harvest Newsletter. 

There is also a bulletin board of buy and sell offers, market surveys and statistics for a range of horticultural products, trade regulation information, postharvest and product guides, and a list of international agricultural events. 

The databases are searchable. Another part of the site, called MarketAg, provides links to marketing and other agricultural information for around the world, organised into searchable databases. 

This site is also available in French and Spanish translation. 

INO.com

INO are headquartered in Maryland, USA, and specialise in the futures and options markets, serving traders worldwide with a continuous information service of quotes, charts and news. INO also offer a store front for trading tools, charts, publications, educational courses and other resources. 

Kansas City Board of Trade

A major US wheat commodity exchange (and some other commodities such as natural gas). 

Information on trading is provided, including a simulated trading program. Price reports and charts are available on a 10-minute and daily basis. There are also daily market reports on wheat deliveries, weekly reports on wheat stocks and a weekly wheat market analysis. 

Other wheat information includes a report on seasonal trade and information on Futures and Options. The daily KCBT Review is available for purchase and delivery via email. A custom charting facility is also available.

Minneapolis Grain Exchange

Trades in wheat, cottonseed, corn, soybean, electricity, shrimp and financial markets. 

The site provides information on the Exchange, including news releases, an annual statistical summary, membership information and a mock trading session. For each commodity (including spring wheat, white wheat and durum wheat), daily and weekly prices are shown and charted, along with contract specifications, and a daily market report.

New York Board of Trade

This site contains information on sugar, cotton, dairy, finance and a number of other products traded in New York. The site provides information on the market and its operations, press releases, and industry specific reports. 

The New York Board of Trade web site has taken over the services formerly offered through the New York Cotton Exchange web site and the Coffee, Sugar and Cocoa Exchange web site. 

Other reports include daily market reports, charts and historical data. There is also a calendar of trading dates for the exchange, and the ability to customise the delivery of content from the site for individual needs/preferences.

New Zealand Dairy Board

A site marketing New Zealand dairy exports, with health, product and brand information available. General information on the New Zealand dairy industry is also provided, as is information such as news releases, contacts and financial information, R&D and marketing opportunities.

STA Trading Services

STA Trading Services is a Guaranteed Introducing Broker located in Memphis, TN. Their services include a crop marketing service called "The Hedge" and a brokerage and trading services called "The STA Trading Package". You can register for a free 2 week trial to view their services. Through these two products, STA provides complete fundamental and technical analysis of the markets you watch. This combination of the two most widely used trading disciplines gives you a comprehensive overview so you can manage your risk in trading futures and options. 

Today's Market Prices

A subscription-based service offering daily prices of fruit and vegetables in North America and weekly prices in Europe, Canada, Mexico and China. 

Subscription rates are $US25 per month, with a one week free trial available. A subscription form can be printed out or you can pay online via credit card. The site also has a "guestbook" facility for announcing product offerings, discussing issues etc.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

This is the most substantial site for agricultural information, particularly marketing information, on the Internet. 

The USDA ‘homepage’ is full of the latest news and current affairs stories, be they domestic or international in focus. 

The ‘welcome’ page gives a brief on the origins of the USDA, outlining its history and mission, structure and charter under which the USDA operates. 

The ‘newsroom’ is full of top news stories, national releases, media releases from associated agencies, speeches and testimonies, reports and events. 

As the name suggests, the ‘what’s new’ area contains the latest information to be released by the USDA. 

Under ‘agencies, services and programs’, the USDA site provides separate home pages for each of the USDA agencies, including (wait for it), Farm Service Agency, Foreign Agricultural Service, Risk Management Agency, Food and Nutrition Service, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Agricultural Marketing Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Rural Business - Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service and Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Corporation. Phew! 

The Foreign Agricultural Service provides information on US export programs, and publishes feature reports, world production market and trade reports, and a subscription service for ‘attache reports’ providing market specific reports, trade leads and trade statistics for each country, highlights of US export sales and even satellite images and remote sensing maps for crop analysis for selected countries (including Australia). 

Agencies concerned with technical production issues are reviewed in the section on Technical Production Information. 

The ‘USDA offices’ section links to some 40 or so administrative or departmental offices, or other relevant organisations. 

A useful feature of the USDA site, is the ‘subject’ area, where the subject matter of the site is listed alphabetically for ease of reference. This is complemented by a ‘search/help’ function.

US Wheat Associates

While the organisation is devoted to increasing "U.S. market share for all classes of U.S. wheat", its Web site provides some information that may be of value to Australian wheatgrowers as well. In particular, the site provides the fortnightly WheatLetter on wheat market developments, the weekly Price Report, and monthly supply and demand figures. It also provides information on US grain marketing, buyer information, US crop quality reports, as well as press releases and information about the organisation and its activities.

Winnipeg Commodity Exchange

Trades in canola, flaxseed, barley, wheat, oats and field peas. 

The site provides information on the Exchange, including trading schedules, contract specifications, news releases, publications, membership information, and information on trading. 

Futures and options prices are provided daily, along with a daily market commentary. There is also a weekly grain market report, monthly and historical data, and the Exchange's newsletters.