GLOSSARY
Harvest
The collection of grain once it has reached optimal maturity. The wheat grain harvest in Australia typically occurs from October through to December each year.
Wheat grain committed
For the export sector 'committed' means there is a contract in place for the export of wheat grain.
For the domestic sector 'committed' means a contract is in place to procure wheat grain for domestic use and/or processing. It does not mean an intention to acquire wheat grain over the remainder of the year. It is acknowledged that this may fluctuate as contracts are cancelled, but is a 'point in time' estimate. It relates to contracts held by end users of wheat grain, not intermediaries.
Wheat grade
Wheat grain is graded by quality to determine if it is suitable for human or animal consumption. The wheat grain classifications in Wheat Use and Stocks, Australia (cat. no. 7307.0) are milling and feed.
Wheat grain used
For the export sector, 'used' means wheat exported from the country. It is assumed that wheat grain, once exported, cannot be re-imported without breaching quarantine rules and so is 'used' once it leaves the country.
For the domestic sector, 'used' means consumed by end users, whether they be flour millers, feedlotters, etc. In this context, 'used' means wheat grain no longer available in its harvested form for other users to buy or use, i.e. it has been transformed (e.g. to flour) or consumed (e.g. fed to animals).
Wheat grain users
Users include beef cattle feedlots, poultry, and pig producers, dairy operators, manufacturers using or storing wheat grain, and wheat growing businesses. (For more information refer to the Explanatory Notes).