Harvest Report - 2 December

The impact of more rain - and more records - has been felt across the state as the Western Australian grain harvest powers ahead.

Wet weather systems brought harvest to a stop yet again in the Geraldton Zone, Esperance Zone and parts of Kwinana North Zone, while the Kwinana South Zone rail service was impacted by a bushfire near Toodyay.

Despite these challenges, when growers got a clear run the network didn't miss a beat, and recorded not one, but two record days, surpassing the new daily record only set on Monday 18 November.

"Thanks to the effort, teamwork and dedication of WA growers, transporters and CBH employees, we have set a new daily receival record - 623,500 tonnes on 28 November 2024," Mr Daw said.

"This record only stood for 24 hours before it was surpassed on Friday 29 November, with 630,600 tonnes received across the network.

"It’s an incredible achievement given that a number of our sites are using Falling Numbers, which typically takes longer to assess grain quality compared to normal sampling methods. 

"Growers are able to get their crops off quicker and quicker, and by investing in our network, it means we can handle surges in site traffic and peaks in receivals, allowing growers to get in and out, and back to harvesting.

"These records reflect the collective efforts and ongoing focus on the Path to 2033 Strategy to continually improve supply chain performance, which we are demonstrating this harvest. 

"Congratulations everyone on this great achievement, and please continue to be safe for the remainder of harvest and into the festive period."

Falling Numbers testing has been introduced in sites in the northern parts of the state to preserve the quality of the harvest moving forward. This testing is used to manage stacks and grower loads, ensuring that each load delivered can achieve the highest grade possible, while ensuring individual segregations remain within market specification.

Mr Daw said the unseasonal wet weather in the Geraldton and Kwinana North Zones has prompted deployment of testing equipment not usually required in these areas.

"We are introducing delivery options for loads with low Falling Numbers to streamline receivals across the state, subject to stack quality," Mr Daw said.

"We thank growers and those delivering on site for their patience as we do more Falling Numbers testing across the state. A lot goes in to setting this up, and the testing can impact on cycle times, but it is critical for preserving the integrity of stacks, grower value and the outloading process. 

"This testing is to ensure we can manage and maintain quality, so customers can receive the quality grain Western Australia is known for, and growers can maximise the value they get for rain-affected grain."

Receival Statistics

Zone Summary

Albany

• The Albany Zone has received 2.66 million tonnes with nearly 900,000 tonnes coming in in the last seven days. Weather has been good this week.
• Barley and wheat are the two major commodities being delivered into the system. Canola receivals are slowing down in most areas.
• All sites and services are open across the zone.
• Albany Zone broke its daily receival record on the 28 November with 157,242 tonnes.
• Broomehill, Mirambeena, Chillinup, Gairdner, Hyden, Lake Grace, Nyabing, Jacup and Pingrup have all broken their daily receival records this year.
  
  

Esperance

• Although the falls have been relatively moderate to light, rain has once again slowed the pace of the harvest in the Esperance Zone. Despite this, the zone still received approximately 560,000 tonnes for the week, most of which were wheat, canola, and barley. 
• Canola and barley receivals are starting to taper off as growers push through their wheat crops trying to complete programs before Christmas.
• Approximately 98% of our harvest estimates of both canola and barley has been recieved, with 54% of the wheat now received into the zone. 
• Many canola services are now closed, but options are still available within the port precinct (check the CDF app for locations).
• Cycle times are currently at 49 minutes.
• Beaumont broke its all-time daily receival record with 10,580 tonnes on Saturday 30 November. Shark Lake achieved its second-highest daily receival of 13,059 tonnes on Friday 29 November, missing its all-time highest daily receival record by only 108 tonnes (the highest daily record of 13,167 tonnes was set 20 December 2021).
  
  

Geraldton

• The Geraldton Zone has received just over 500,000 tonnes over the past seven days, with the week starting slow after another rain event.
• Unfortunately, there were rain several rain events from Wednesday to Friday, with some sites closing on Friday in Area 2.
• The Mingenew site was the worst hit with 20 millimetres of rain in less than 30 minutes.
• All sites and services are currently open across the zone, and wheat is the main commodity being received.
• The average cycle time across the zone is 50 minutes, which has been impacted by the introduction of Falling Numbers tests and load-for-load testing at all
• sites across the zone. 
• Mingenew broke its daily receival record on Wednesday 27 November, receiving 19,016 tonnes. This is a magnificent effort given that the team were testing for Falling Numbers.
  
  

Kwinana North

• The Kwinana North Zone received 2.8 million tonnes year-to-date with 760,000 tonnes coming in in the last seven days.
• Weather has been good following the rain event last week.
• Wheat is now the major commodity being delivered into the system, canola and barley have all but finished.
• All sites and services are open across the zone.
• The Kwinana North Zone will have Falling Numbers machines set up at most sites, which will slow cycle times for these sites.
• The biggest day of receivals for the year was on the 29 November with 147,083 tonnes coming in.
  
  

Kwinana South

• Harvest has progressed well over the past seven days. The Kwinana South Zone total is now at 2.3 million tonnes, and just over 60% of our estimates.
• No weather delays in the past week, however we did have some rail cancellations due to a fire in the Toodyay area. 
• Wheat and barley are still coming in at high volumes, with canola volumes decreasing everyday. Lupins and oats are being received at some sites. 
• Major commodities and services are opened at most sites. Additional services for feed wheat and select utility grades are opened at strategic sites. 
• Falling Number testing is now in place at all sites, with some varieties and sites having a higher degree of screening than others. 
• Quairading broke its daily receival record on the 27 November, Corrigin broke is daily receival record for the second time this harvest on the 28 November, and York and Wickepin both broke their daily receival records on 29 November.