Harvest Report - 23 December

Harvest bans and more rain only slowed harvest temporarily last week as total receivals edge towards twenty million tonnes.

The total for the year now stands at 19.5 million tonnes, which is three million tonnes more than was forecast based on growers' estimates provided before harvest started.

Parts of the Albany and Esperance zones experienced wet weather events during the past seven days, while Geraldton and Kwinana South were hit with hot weather that resulted in harvest bans being implemented.

The Kwinana North Zone had both wet and hot weather in the same seven-day period, resulting in harvest bans in some areas, exemplifying how unpredictable the weather has been across the state this harvest.

CBH Chief Operations Officer Mick Daw said while it was expected most growers across the state would still finish around Christmas, there was a lot of grain still coming into the system.

"All five zones have now surpassed their harvest estimates for the 2024/25 season as the tonnes continue to flow in," Mr Daw said.

"Many sites have broken their daily receivals records, or taken the most tonnes for the season, showcasing how much bigger this harvest was than expected - and how quickly it could be delivered when conditions were right."

"Most CBH sites will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Please consult your CDF app for all details.

"Please remember to take care on our roads and take care of one another during the festive season and have a relaxing Christmas break." 

This is the last CBH Harvest Report for the season. A media release will be issued in early 2025 when the end of harvest is called, with a breakdown of final figures, performance and records. 

Harvest Statistics

Zone Summaries

Albany

• The Albany Zone has received 4.4 million tonnes so far, with approximately 409,000 tonnes received over the past seven days.
• Rain events have slowed down receivals in some areas.
• Wheat and barley are the main commodities being received. Smaller tonnages of canola are still being received in the southern areas of the zone.
• As sites are filling up, some segregations are closing, and growers will have to travel to other sites to deliver into some services such as oats.
• Average zone cycle time is sitting at 39 minutes.
  
  

Esperance

• Rainfall at the start of the week impacted receivals in the Esperance Zone. Although sporadic, some areas received around 30mm in isolated storms across the zone. 
• Receivals are starting to taper off, and we are currently receiving about 25,000 tonnes per day across the zone.
• The Esperance Zone has now passed its original harvest estimate and is currently sitting at just over 3 million tonnes. 
• A mix of all commodities is still being received as growers start to complete the remainder of their programs.
• Most services remain open however Dunn Rock, Mt Madden, and Salmon Gums are now closed for the season. Other sites will follow as final tonnages are received. 
• Beaumont, Mount Madden, and West River all achieved their best one-day receival total over the season.
  
  

Geraldton

• The Geraldton Zone has received just over 3.3 million tonnes to date.
• Receivals have started to decline daily since last Monday.
• Hot and dry conditions led to some harvest bans in Area 3 last week. 
• Wheat is the major commodity being delivered into the system.
• Yuna, Binnu, Canna and Northampton are now closed for the season. All other sites are expected to still receive tonnes after Christmas.
  
  

Kwinana North

• The Kwinana North Zone has received 4.5 million tonnes year-to-date, with 382,000 tonnes coming into the system in the last seven days.
• The zone experienced more rain events as well as a harvest ban during the week, slowing receivals at some sites.
• Wheat is the major commodity being delivered into the system.
• Some sites and services have now closed for the season, with the majority of sites to close after Christmas.
  
  

Kwinana South

• The Kwinana South Zone has received 4.1 million tonnes to date, with a further 100,000 tonnes estimated to come in.
• There were heat related weather interruptions to harvest over the past seven days, culminating in harvest bans in several shires late in the week.
• It is expected that most growers will finish by Christmas, with a few going over into the new year. 
• Wheat, barley, lupins and oats are all still being received, however wheat is still the most dominant. 
• Some sites filled and closed last week.Best season records were set for York, Quairading, Brookton, Corrigin, Kondinin and Bulyee sites.