Harvesting lentils at Nantawarra in South Australia. Photo: Crop Smart

GROWERS delivered over 40,856 tonnes into Viterra’s Australian network last week as the South Australian harvest gathered pace.

“There have been some delays for growers following the weather conditions which included rain and hail in some areas, but deliveries into Viterra sites are gradually picking up,” Viterra operations manager Michael Hill said.

“Growers have delivered lentils, peas and barley, and now we’re starting to see some wheat and canola coming in as well.”

Across the Viterra network, 15 sites have now taken in their first loads of new-season grain.

“We are very well-positioned to manage the harvest as we work closely with growers year around to make sure we have services at our sites that match their needs.”

Mr Hill said Viterra’s recruitment of 1500 seasonal workers for harvest has also tracked well.

“Harvest employees play a critical role across our sites to help get growers’ grain into storage,” Michael says.

Viterra operations manager for the western region Nick Pratt said some northern Eyre Peninsula sites such as Thevenard, Wudinna, Arno Bay and Kimba are starting to see a slight increase in deliveries.

In the Central region, nine sites have opened, and are receiving barley, field peas and lentils from growers.

Viterra operations manager for the Central region, Jack Tansley, said several sites received their first loads, mainly in the Mid and Upper North.

“The harvest is starting slowly due to the varying weather conditions,” Mr Tansley said.

“As deliveries into Port Pirie have come in, we’ve also received positive feedback from local growers who are pleased with the improved site operations, particularly the weighbridge at the township site.

“We reopened the weighbridge as a direct result of grower feedback which will help reduce turnaround times for growers.”

Source: Viterra