Western Australia is expected to reap a solid grain harvest when the 2007-08 season draws to a close this week, with receivals estimated to be up 35 per cent on last season.
Western Australia is expected to reap a solid grain harvest when the 2007-08 season draws to a close this week, with receivals estimated to be up 35 per cent on last season.
About 100,000 tonnes is expected to trickle in over the coming weeks, bringing the total for the 2007-08 season to around 8.5 million tonnes, well up on the 6.3mt grain harvest WA recorded in the 2006-07 season- its worst since the 2002-03 drought.
The latest forecast has also exceeded CBH Group's pre-harvest estimates of 7.9mt.
CBH Group general manager operations Colin Tutt said although harvest was essentially over for the Geraldton and Esperance zones, some areas in the Albany, Kwinana East and Kwinana West zones were likely to see receivals trickle in over the coming week or two.
The Albany Zone met its season estimate of 2.05mt this week, helping the state's harvest reach 8.4mt today, he said.
"Harvest has wrapped up for the Geraldton Zone, and the Esperance Zone is coming to a close with the focus now on shipping.
"Receivals have slowed down in other areas of the state, with the Kwinana East Zone receiving daily tonnages of under 3,000 tonnes."
Provided the weather remained favourable, the last tonne of grain for the 2007-08 harvest should be received by the end of January.
Around the state, the Geraldton Zone received a total of around 528,000 tonnes while the Kwinana East Zone has achieved a similar amount to date, with receivals for the zone slowing to around 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes per day.
Geraldton Zone manager Duncan Gray said although it had been a tough season for growers further north of the state, overall, it had been a considerably good result.
"The Geraldton Zone received almost twice the tonnage than initially estimated. This can be attributed to the rainfall in late October, which saw growers receive better than expected yields from their crops," he said.
"All sites within the zone are now closed, and the Geraldton Terminal will only be available on an appointment basis."
Kwinana East Zone manager David Capper said the zone had received a total of 528,000 tonnes to date, with only a small amount of grain left to come in.
"Over the coming week, we're likely to see daily receivals slow down to around 1,000 tonnes per day for the zone." he said.