Growers in parts of WA’s Kwinana North Zone, as well as the Geraldton and Esperance zones, went flat out last week to harvest as much as possible ahead of rain. Photo: Tracy Lefroy, Moora

WESTERN Australian growers have delivered 12.3 million tonnes (Mt) of grain to the CBH Group network in the harvest to  Sunday.

The total included a double break of the group’s daily receival record, 623,500t on November 28, and 100t more on the next day.

Interruptions to harvesting and deliveries in the week came from more rain in the Geraldton, Esperance and parts of the Kwinana North zones, while the Kwinana South Zone rail service was impacted by a bushfire near Toodyay.

In CBH’s weekly harvest report, CBH Group chief operations officer Mick Daw said unseasonal rain in the Geraldton and Kwinana North zones has prompted deployment of testing equipment not usually required in these areas.

“We are introducing delivery options for loads with low falling numbers to streamline receivals across the state, subject to stack quality,” Mr Daw said.

Albany

The Albany Zone had favourable harvesting weather in the week to Sunday, with barley and wheat the two major commodities delivered into the system, and canola receivals slowing down in most areas.

All sites and services are open across the zone.

Albany Zone broke its daily receival record on November 28 with 157,242t.

Broomehill, Chillinup, Gairdner, Jacup, Mirambeena, Hyden, Lake Grace, Nyabing, and Pingrup have all broken their daily receival records this year.

Esperance

Mostly light to moderate rain once again slowed the pace of the harvest in the Esperance Zone, with wheat, canola, and barley forming the bulk of deliveries.

Canola and barley receivals have started to taper off as growers push through their wheat crops trying to complete programs before Christmas.

Approximately 98 percent of CBH Group’s estimates barley and canola receivals have been delivered, with 54pc of the wheat now in.

Beaumont broke its all-time daily receival record with 10,580t on Saturday, while Shark Lake achieved its second-highest daily receival of 13,059t on Friday, missing its all-time highest daily receival record as set on 20 December 20 21 by only 108t.

Geraldton

Receivals in the Geraldton Zone has started slowly last week after another rain event. and more from Wednesday to Friday, with some sites closing on Friday.

The Mingenew site was the worst hit, with 20mm of rain falling in less than 30 minutes.

All sites and services are currently open across the zone, and wheat is the main commodity being received.

Cycle times  have increased, with falling numbers and load-for-load testing at all sites across the zone.

Mingenew broke its daily receival record on Wednesday with 19,016t.

Kwinana North

Following rain in the previous week, weather last week in the Kwinana North Zone was good for harvesting.

Wheat is now the major commodity being delivered into the system, with barley and canola all but finished.

All sites and services are open across the zone.

The Kwinana North Zone will have falling numbers machines set up at most sites.

The biggest day of receivals for the current harvest was Friday, when 147,083t came in.

Kwinana South

Kwinana South also made good progress last week, with just over 60pc of expected deliveries now at sites.

The zone’s only interruption was rail cancellations due to a fire in the Toodyay area.

Wheat and barley are still coming in at high volume, while canola volume is decreasing every day.

Lupins and oats are being received at some sites.

Major commodities and services are opened at most sites, and additional services for feed wheat and select utility grades are opened at strategic sites.

Falling number testing is now in place at all sites, with some varieties and sites having a higher degree of screening than others.

Corrigin, Quairading, Wickepin, and York all broke their daily receival records last week.