Dooen is one of Viterra’s two sites in Victoria, and Jaden Caccianiga, pictured with site operator Josh Friend, delivered its first load for the 2020-21 harvest. Photo: Viterra
SOUTH Australia’s major bulk handler Viterra has received 55,905 tonnes of grain in the week to Saturday to lift its total intake for the harvest to date to 101,701t.
In its latest Weekly Harvest Report, Viterra said barley made up the bulk of its deliveries, and eight sites took their first loads for the season in the week to Saturday, with 33 sites across the network now open.
| Week to 1 Nov | Harvest to 1 Nov | |
| Western region | 46,175 | 75,098 |
| Central region | 8,505 | 24,679 |
| Eastern region | 1,225 | 1,924 |
| TONNES | 55,905 | 101,701 |
Table 1: Viterra 2020-21 harvest receivals starting 3 October.
Viterra Western region operations manager Nick Pratt said the region had a busy start to the week.
“Good weather at the start of the week meant that quite a few of our sites across the region were busy; however, our receivals were impacted from Thursday to Saturday when temperatures dropped,” Mr Pratt said.
“Most of our sites have now had their first deliveries with our Penong, Streaky Bay, Warramboo and Wirrulla sites in the north of the Eyre Peninsula welcoming their first loads last week.”
Meanwhile, Viterra Central region operations manager Jack Tansley said receivals were again slowed by rain.
“Harvesting activity was very slow at the start of the week following the rain; our sites got busier from Wednesday onwards once the weather improved and the crops dried out,” Mr Tansley said.
“The stop-start beginning to harvest is causing some frustration for growers.
We have been extending our opening hours and are focused on quick turnaround times to help growers make more deliveries during better weather. Everyone is hopeful the forecast will improve so harvest can really get going.”
Viterra’s Werrimull, Strathalbyn and Dooen sites in the east all received their first loads for the harvest last week.
Viterra Eastern region operations manager Jo Klitscher said sites were opening for grower samples.
“We have been testing samples for growers so expect more of our sites to receive their first deliveries in the next few days,” Ms Klitscher said.
Source: Viterra
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