Wheat adds to one of the bunkers at Viterra’s Rudall site on Eyre Peninsula. Photo: Viterra

THE 2022-23 harvest is officially the second-largest ever at Viterra, with deliveries to the network covering South Australia and reaching into western Victoria last week surpassing the 8.59 million tonnes (Mt) delivered in the 2001-02 harvest.

During the week, growers delivered over 161,536t, taking total receivals to 8.61Mt.

Viterra general manager operations Gavin Cavanagh said the company was looking forward to continuing to receive growers’ grain as the harvest nears its close.

“We remain open for growers in later areas who are still harvesting and delivering to our sites and we’re already seeing some with on-farm storage make the most of our port-direct service, delivering direct to port for a buyers’ vessel,” Mr Cavanagh said.

From February 15, Viterra will start receiving grain under its post-harvest delivery procedure for those wishing to warehouse grain.

Despite deliveries slowing, more records were broken last week.

“Growers have delivered more lentils to Viterra this harvest than any other, surpassing the 2016-17 record of over 372,000t.

“Along with this, our Wolseley site is the fifteenth to pass its season receivals record this harvest, breaking yet another 2016-17 record.”

Viterra is currently forecasting that total winter-crop production across the state will reach 12.98Mt, breaking the 2016-17 record of 11.79Mt.

This compares with ABARES most recent forecast for South Australia’s 2022-23 crop 11.2Mt as issued in its December 6 Australian Crop Report, and its estimate for the 2016-17 crop of 10.7Mt.

Mr Cavanagh said with current pricing, the 2022-23 crop could be the most valuable ever.

“This is a fantastic achievement by South Australian growers and demonstrates their experience, hard work and willingness to embrace new and innovative practices.”

Source: Viterra