WESTERN Australian bulk handler CBH Group received 1.86 million tonnes (Mt) of grain in the week to Sunday to take its total intake from the current harvest to 3.99Mt.

The western part of the Albany Zone was the only part of WA’s grainbelt not impacted by rain, and higher moisture limits in barley and wheat have allowed growers in affected areas to resume harvest.

CBH chief operations officer Mick Daw said rain was unlikely to cause significant delays to growers’ harvest programs.

“Most of WA’s grain-growing regions received some rain late last week, which stopped many growers from harvesting,” Mr Daw said.

It also saw CBH temporarily close some sites.

“All our services are now back up and running and we are hearing that most growers are able to get back to harvesting.”

Following is a round-up of conditions by region:

Albany

Rain in the zone’s northern reaches towards the end of the week slowed receivals, while cooler weather in southern districts reduced its intake.

Receivals have mostly been barley and canola, with some some growers delivering wheat ahead of schedule for the Albany Zone, where all sites will be open by the end of next week.

Esperance

Receivals were solid for most of the week until rain from Friday to Sunday slowed harvest.

Barley and canola are still the main commodities being received as growers move into wheat, deliverable to segregations which can accommodate high screenings.

Geraldton

Harvest receivals were slow to start in the mornings last week, but picked up as the days progressed.

Some rain on Thursday slowed receivals for Friday.

Canola deliveries picked up last week and the bulk of the crop is expected to be delivered by the end of this week, as wheat tonnes steadily pick up.

All sites are open across the zone, with the Geraldton terminal, Moonyoonooka, Narngulu, Mingenew, and Carnamah offering extended hours.

Growers across the zone are high wheat yields of up to 3.5-4t/ha.

Kwinana North

Rain across the zone at the end of the week affected deliveries for a day or so.

All commodities are being received, with canola and barley still being the major ones delivered.

All sites across the zone are open, and wheat grades have been opened to cater for growers with high screenings.

Kwinana South

Harvest receivals continued to increase across the Kwinana South zone.

Some rain on Tuesday slowed progress, and was followed by a more significant weather system which brought most Kwinana South sites to a stop on Friday.

Canola now represents most of the harvest volumes coming in, but barley volumes are still strong.

Most growers are only one quarter of the way through their barley program, which is expected to continue for at least another week or two.

Small amounts of wheat, lupins and oats have continued to be delivered, with the lupin stack at Kellerberin growing on decent volumes coming through.

Most Kwinana South sites are now open, with the exception of a few wheat-only sites, and Dale, where canola is still green.

All Kwinana South sites are expected to be open by next week.

Source: CBH Group