December 5, 2005
Harvest of Western Australian wheat more than half done
Stripping of winter crops including wheat in Western Australia state has passed the halfway point, with evidence emerging of greater-than-expected frost damage, logistics concern Cooperative Bulk Handling Ltd. (CBH) reported Monday.
Total intake of new crop grains rose to 6.5 million tonnes early Monday, up from 4.4 million tonnes a week earlier.
"Grain quality remains positive in most areas, though frost damage appears to be greater than first thought," David Fienberg, the company's operations manager, said in a weekly harvest report.
Despite the frost damage, which cut production, CBH is holding forecast total intake from new crops at 12.8 million tonnes, up from an actual 10.6 million tonnes in the previous crop year ending March 31, 2005.
Typically, 70 percent of the intake is wheat, suggesting its intake of almost 9.0 million tonnes, up from an actual 7.4 million tonnes from the old crop.
Kevin Crouch, manager of CBH's northern Geraldton zone, said several ships were loaded at the port's export terminal over the past week, easing congestion.
CBH reported harvest was delayed or slowed by rain in some areas, mostly in the south.
Ian Gordon, a manager in Kwinana zone, said frost damage in the zone has been patchy and its impact on yield has been difficult to gauge.
"Despite the frost damage, wheat quality is generally very good with 95 percent of wheat making milling grades," Gordon said in the report.
Nearly all the wheat and barley produced in the state is available for export, making the area a major cereal provider to the global trade.
The company is the only major silo concern operating in the state, and its intake figures are a reasonable proxy for state production.
