PARKSIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA — Two months following the first delivery for the 2019-20 harvest, Viterra has received just under 2.9 million tonnes across the state.

All 65 of Viterra’s sites in Australia have now received grain, with sites in northern areas starting to see deliveries slow while later areas are starting to hit pace.

Viterra received over 580,000 tonnes of grain last week through to Dec. 1, noting cooler weather and light showers late in the week affected growers’ ability to harvest. Wheat is the main commodity being delivered with the barley and canola harvest starting to finish in some areas.

Sites in the mid and lower Eyre Peninsula recorded some large receival days. Cummins, Port Lincoln and Tumby Bay sites were the Western region’s busiest last week with a large number of tonnes delivered early in the week, until weather conditions brought the region to a halt late in the week.

The Western region loaded its first vessel with new season grain at its Port Lincoln terminal to start the upcoming shipping schedule.

“The site is running 24-hour operations to maximize elevation points for grower deliveries during the day and efficiently load vessels at night,” Viterra said.

Sites in the Central region also have been busy; Roseworthy had its biggest day so far for the harvest and extended opening hours until midnight. Viterra’s Bowmans site broke its daily receival record, and Saddleworth and Eudunda sites also recorded an increase in tonnes received compared to the previous week.

The Eastern region also had its busiest week so far with barley the main commodity being delivered. Deliveries of other commodities are starting to come in. Despite cooler weather, sites in the region were open for deliveries.