CBH Group’s Metro Grain Centre opened for canola, wheat and barley receivals last Monday. Photo: CBH Group

WESTERN Australian bulk handler CBH Group received 1 million tonnes (Mt) into its system in the week to October 29 to lift total intake to 1.7Mt, it said in its Harvest Report released today.

“While deliveries are picking up as expected across the zones, it’s been a slow build in the Kwinana North zone, which is used to a more rapid pace this time of year,” the report said.

“Conversely, the Kwinana South zone is experiencing a much busier time this year than it did last year, reflecting the drier finish to the season.

“Harvest in the Esperance zone was slowed by wet weather, while the Albany zone had a strong run for the week.

“Harvest could be wrapping up for some growers in the northern part of the Geraldton zone in just over a week, while some in the south are only just starting their programs.”

CBH chief operations officer Mick Daw said it was pleasing to see a solid pace of harvest across the zones.

“All zones received over 100,000t last week, signalling harvest picking up across Western Australia as we predicted,” Mr Daw said.

“The coming week should see all sites that are expected to open this season open.”

“It’s good to see all commodities coming into the system, with wheat, canola and barley making up the majority, as we expect this time of year.”

Seasonal conditions for this year have resulted in some areas delivering high-protein wheat with screenings above the 5-percent limit for standard milling grades.

Harvest is a busy time on the roads in regional Western Australia and Mr Daw encouraged all road users to stay vigilant, exercise patience and care when driving this summer.

“Driver distraction, complacency and failing to drive to the road conditions are the main causes of incidents and near misses on our roads and at CBH sites,” Mr Daw said.

“We are inloading and still outloading at many sites, which means we’re actively managing vehicle interactions, adjusting speed limits and site signage where relevant.

“Please exercise caution and prepare for success by removing distractions when you get in the drivers seat.”

Albany

This week has seen an increase in receivals with more growers starting their harvest programs.

The Lake Grace, Jerramungup and north of Katanning areas are receiving most of the grain.

Canola is the main commodity being delivered, with non-GM accounting for about 60pc.

Small tonnages of barley are starting to be received across the zone, with the majority making feed grade.

Most of the sites across the zone are open or will open next week as harvesting programs across the zone commence.

Esperance

This week has been a little slow, with up to 5-8mm of rainfall hitting the zone.

This has slowed harvest progress down but with some finer weather forecast in the next week, harvest receivals are expected to ramp up significantly.

The port precinct has been dominated by canola receivals while in Areas 18 and 19, feed barley has been the main commodity received.

All sites are open except for Dunn Rock and Shark Lake, which are likely to open in the near future.

Geraldton

Harvest is at mixed rates of completion from the north to south of the Geraldton zone, and all sites have been open this week.

Some growers in the north of the zone have just over a week to go, while some growers in the south have only started their programs this week.

The Geraldton zone is receiving all commodities, and has received greater volumes of canola over the past week than those preceding, reflecting the later readiness of wheat earlier in the piece.

Kwinana North

Harvest is still slow in the Kwinana North zone, which is only receiving an average 40,000t per day at present.

Canola and barley are making up the majority of receivals, but we are starting to see wheat deliveries now which should increase next week.

All sites will be open across the zone next week.

Kwinana South

Receivals are accelerating in this zone and more sites are opening.

have really taken off this week, with more than 100,000t received in the zone compared to this time last season.

Canola is the dominant commodity, with significantly more CAG received so far than CAN.

Barley is also a major receival, with approximately 40pc of this going malt; smaller amounts of oats, lupins and wheat have also been received.

Source: CBH Group