CBH gears up for grain harvest in the Albany Zone as the first loads are delivered in other zones
With the Great Southern grain harvest just around the corner, CBH Group is preparing for the first deliveries.
The first load in the State was delivered on Wednesday — a load of canola from Yuna to the Moonyoonooka site — but harvest is expected to still be a few weeks away for most growers in the Albany Zone. CBH Group Albany Zone general manager Will Piercey said the group was on standby for grain deliveries.
“Based on what we’re hearing from growers, we expect the first deliveries in the Albany Zone to be canola or barley with a likely start in late October,” he said.
“The September GIWA Crop Report estimates 3.56 million tonnes for the Albany Zone.
“We expect yields to range from below average to above average, with areas in the south of the zone receiving some finishing rains while north of the zone has had a dry finish.” Mr Piercey said several sites in the region had undergone works throughout the year in anticipation of the harvest.
“This year we’ve completed a significant amount of maintenance and sustaining capital works on key equipment — such as motors, stackers and belts — and infrastructure at receival sites across the network and the Albany grain terminal,” he said.
“We’ve also successfully completed the annual maintenance shutdown program at the Albany grain terminal to ensure our ports are in top condition to get grain to customers. We have also put in place COVID-safe plans to make the grain delivery process as contact free as possible by eliminating activities or reducing steps that require growers or transporters to leave their truck and enter a sample shed or weighbridge.”
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