NSW Farmers has welcomed the release of harvest data from the 2015-16 Grains Harvest Management Scheme (GHMS).

Almost 10 million tonnes of grain were moved using the scheme which allowed growers to load trucks with greater confidence to within the legal limits.

The data shows that more than 9500 truck movements were saved as a result of the scheme.

Grains committee chair, Rebecca Reardon, said it was clear that growers were using the scheme as it was intended.

The result has been an increase in productivity and a reduction in truck movements which is a win for farmers, regional economies and other road users.

“The 2015-16 harvest was another big harvest for the eastern seaboard.  With very high levels of compliance with the scheme, it is clear that the scheme is working and that we see it continue into the future,” Mrs Reardon said.

“It is disappointing that the data took some time to be cleared and we hope that Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) can put systems in place to support the more timely distribution of this data into the future.”

“We hope that the release of this data by RMS will encourage the 21 Councils, including Moree Plains Shire Council to continue their participation in the scheme. Local farmers’ productivity should not be curtailed by things that are out of their control.”

Mrs Reardon said NSW Farmers would continue to work constructively with RMS, Transport for New South Wales and other agencies to ensure this year’s harvest could move from the farm gate to market as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Source: NSW Farmers