Wet weather has put a dampener on Western Australia's harvest, which collected 7.3 million tonnes according to the state's biggest grain handler CBH Group.
Wet weather has put a dampener on Western Australia's harvest, which collected 7.3 million tonnes according to the state's biggest grain handler CBH Group.
The harvest in the Geraldton zone is now 92 per cent complete while Kwinana East zone is close to 60 per cent complete.
Meantime the Kwinana West zone has had its busiest week so far this harvest, taking in around 500,000 tonnes last week, which boosted this season's receivals to around 1.7mt.
The Albany zone is enduring one of the most difficult seasons yet as the wet weather causes more delays.
Only a quarter of the total tonnage expected in the Albany zone has been harvested so far.
Harvest for the Esperance zone is 34 per cent complete with around 500,000t received for the season.
This time last year, the area took in some 1.6mt
The announcement is pasted below:
Receivals by zone to date are as follows (all listed as approximate tonnes);
Geraldton - 2.3 million
Kwinana West - 1.7 million
Kwinana East - 1.9 million
Metro Grain Centre - 68,000
Albany - 770,000
Esperance - 500,000
Total for the state: 7.3 million tonnes
Geraldton Zone
Despite cold weather delaying harvest progress last week, the Geraldton zone is now 92% of its way through harvest. Last week, the zone received around 300,000 tonnes bringing the total tonnage received by the zone this harvest to around 2.3 million tonnes.
Geraldton Zone Manager, Duncan Gray said last week's cold weather slowed receivals for the zone.
"The cold snap with the weather slowed harvest progress for the zone during the week," he said.
"Although we're in a better position than most zones this harvest, the weather has been our biggest frustration as its prevented growers from a short and sharp finish to the season."
Mr Gray said harvest will wind-up in the Geraldton Zone over the coming weeks and 95% of growers in the zone should be finished their harvest programs before Christmas.
After Christmas, the majority of the smaller sites will be closed, however most of the Primary Receival Points will remain open to accommodate the small tonnage left to be delivered.
Kwinana Zone East
The Kwinana East Zone received around 500,000 tonnes last week, tipping harvest progress for the zone well over the half way mark.
The zone has received a total of 1.9 million tonnes to date, which is close to 60% of the estimated receivals for the zone this harvest.
Alan Walker, Kwinana East Zone Manager said the zone progressed fairly well throughout the week, although there were a few delays in the southern part of the zone.
"Overall, we had a decent run this week with favourable harvesting conditions across the North and Eastern parts of the zone," he said.
"However, deliveries slowed down on Wednesday as rain swept across areas the Southern end of the zone, interrupting harvest progress for growers based in areas below Corrigin."
Mr Walker said the zone should get a good run this week, as dry conditions are forecast for the zone.
The Kwinana East Zone is expected to receive a total of around 3.2 million tonnes this harvest, a significant increase on last year's receivals of around 1.8 million tonnes.
West
The Kwinana West Zone had its busiest week so far this harvest, taking in around 500,000 tonnes last week. This boosted this season's total receivals for the zone to around 1.7 million tonnes.
Kwinana West Zone Manager Ian Gordon, said growers took advantage of the fine weather earlier in the week, allowing them to make some head way with their harvest programs.
"We had reasonably clear harvesting conditions in the zone earlier in the week, despite a few damp mornings," he said.
"Growers in the Southern and Eastern areas of the zone were delayed by showers on Wednesday and Thursday morning, with falls ranging from 2-5mm in some areas and between 45-60mm in Eastern areas of the zone."
Mr Gordon said growers based in McLevie, Wubin and Miling will wind up their harvest programs in the coming weeks after missing out on the end of week rain.
Albany Zone
In what's proved to be one of the most difficult seasons yet, the Albany Zone can't get a good run this harvest with wet weather causing even more delays for the zone.
With only 230,000 tonnes delivered since last Monday, 8 December, the Albany Zone has taken in a total of around 770,000 tonnes so far - only a quarter of the total tonnage expected in the zone this harvest.
Richard Simonaitis, Albany Zone Manager said the past week has been frustrating for both growers and CBH Operations staff.
"It's been a disappointing season for everyone in the Albany Zone," he said.
"The zone was lashed with heavy rain and hail on Wednesday, followed by cold and misty conditions on Thursday and Friday, which once again brought deliveries to a halt."
Mr Simonaitis said CBH Operations staff are working hard to accommodate quality issues by opening extra segregations where they have the capacity to allow for them.
Growers are encouraged to stay in touch with their local CBH Group Area Manager and to keep them informed of the expected yield and quality of remaining crops.
Esperance Zone
Widespread rain hit the Esperance Zone late last week, again bringing harvest progress for the zone to a complete standstill.
Over the last week, the Esperance Zone received around 130,000 tonnes, bringing the total tonnes received by the zone this season to around 500,000 tonnes.
Esperance Zone Manager, Mick Daw said the zone is well behind where it should be for this time of the year.
"We're only 34% of our way through harvest and, when you consider that at this time last year harvest was pretty much finished for the Esperance Zone, it's clear how slow and frustrating this season has been," he said.
"The quality seems to be holding up at this stage, however, we will provide additional services where possible to cater for any downgraded grain."
Mr Daw said the zone needs a good run of weather in the lead-up to Christmas, to enable growers to progress further with their harvest programs.
This time last year, the Esperance Zone had already taken in around 1.6 million tonnes, with the zone receiving around 1.68 million tonnes in total last season.
