NSW harvest: several sites tally best ever season

Bulk handlers and farmers have tallied the final results of the harvest, and despite the frost, hail, and dry seasonal conditions, yields exceeded expectations.

Bulk handlers and farmers have tallied the final results of the harvest, and despite the frost, hail, and dry seasonal conditions, yields exceeded expectations.

GrainCorp’s eastern states network received more than 11 million tonnes in Queensland, NSW, and Victoria.

GrainCorp head of national operations Jason Shanley said there were still some late crops still trickling in.

He said several sites recorded their best-ever season, including Talwood, Queensland, Burren Junction and Quandialla, NSW, while others, such as Garah, Caroona and Bellata, in northern NSW, achieved the highest amounts of grain in 10 years.

“Across northern NSW, particularly in regions like Burren Junction, it was fantastic to see a strong turnaround from receiving virtually no grain during the 2023-24 season to massive tonnages this year, particularly at Burren Junction, with more than 230,000 tonnes, and Walgett in excess of 260,000 tonnes.”

In Western Australia, CBH Group has edged towards 20 million tonnes, with 19.5 million tonnes in storage. The figure was three million tonnes better than what was projected.

In South Australia, Viterra recorded receivals of 3,239,644 tonnes, with the western region contributing 1,507,275, central, 1,136,660, and eastern, 595,709.

In the western district of Victoria farmers battled unseasonably dry conditions.

Graeme McCrow of Westmere. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Graeme McCrow of Westmere said 410mm of rain fell for the calendar year. The average is closer to 550mm.

“Harvest wasn’t terrific, but it was quick because yields were down and our wheat yielded around 3 tonnes a hectare,” he said.

Mr McCrow finished harvesting on December 23, and he said that the area would usually grow wheat crops with yields closer to 5-6 tonnes/ha.

Daryl Jensen, pictured earlier in the season at Diggora. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Diggora farmer Daryl Jensen said the wet weather had taken a toll.

“There was some downgrading at the end of harvest after wet weather, but overall, we were happy to have wheat crops yield from 3.5 to 6 tonnes/ha. 

“In this area, we are usually looking to see at least an average of 4 tonnes/ha,” he said.

Rob Gollasch at Wallacetown in southern NSW. Picture: Nikki Reynolds

Rob Gollasch of Wallacetown in southern NSW said up to 40 per cent of his winter crops were impacted by the frost that came through in September.

“Results were a bit below average. Our best results for wheat were around 4 tonnes/ha. Usually, we would see more than 4.5 tonnes/ha. 

“The frost was by far our biggest challenge for the year,” he said.