2021/22 harvest preparations well underway

The CBH Group is well underway in planning for the 2021/22 harvest currently forecast to be significantly above average should good growing conditions continue. 

While CBH has built 2.5 million tonnes of permanent storage over the past five years, recent assessments have found that additional emergency temporary storage is required to cater for the expected large harvest. 

CBH Acting Chief Executive Officer Ben Macnamara said emergency storage provided greater flexibility in a cost-effective way should there be an above average harvest and will support frontline teams in continuing to provide efficient services for growers. 

Mr Macnamara said CBH is currently forecasting this year’s harvest to be above CBH’s five-year receival average of 14.2 million tonnes. 

“At this point in the season, we plan to build at least an additional 1 million tonnes across the network,” he said

“We are currently working with local governments on development applications for where we would like to build storage this year. 

“Additionally, we are seeking to acquire more equipment, particularly drive over grids, tarpaulins, and testing equipment, which will support frontline teams in receiving the harvest safely and efficiently.”

Mr Macnamara said labour shortages were continuing to have a significant impact on our supply chain, with truck and train drivers in short supply and high demand across the state. 

“We have also commenced recruitment for our harvest casuals earlier this year and are working on a number of opportunities to source labour in an ongoing tight labour market,” he said. 

“We encourage anyone from across Western Australia who would like to experience a grain harvest to apply.” 

Harvest casual roles include Receival Point Operators at our country sites, Plant Operators at our regional ports in Albany, Esperance and Geraldton, and Grain Technicians at Metro Grain Centre in Forrestfield.  

Applications are open now and can be made online at careers.cbh.com.au