South East farmers are counting the cost of “‘unhelpful” rainfall throughout the 2024 calendar year with a commonly-held view the grain harvest yield is around 25% below average.
The rainfall came late, was overall below average and then fell at disadvantageous times.
Meanwhile, farmers are continuing to store their harvested grain in the sprawling silo complex at Millicent.
The silos were closed by grain handler Viterra in 2019 and subsequently sold to a local family.
This firm again made storage available to farmers three years ago.
Harvesting is in full swing across Millicent and district with grain trucks a familiar site on roads leading to the silos.
It also offers a value-adding option with a nearby oilseed crushing plant on Saleyards Road and adjacent to Lake McIntyre.
Meanwhile, growers delivered 288,000 tonnes to the Viterra network across South Australia over the three weeks to January 5, taking total 2024/25 harvest deliveries past three million tonnes.
Wheat made up around three quarters of deliveries, and eastern region sites received close to half of total tonnes during the period.
Viterra spokesman Gavin Cavanagh said Viterra worked closely with growers during the holiday period to offer delivery options and support those finishing up their harvest.
He said as well as receiving grower deliveries, Viterra has continued shipping from five of its port terminals.
“Over the past three weeks we have been shipping from Port Lincoln, Outer Harbor, Inner Harbour, Wallaroo and Port Giles,” he said.
“This includes the first 2024/25 shipment from our Adelaide ports during December, and kicking off the new year with our first vessel for the season loaded at Port Giles.
“Viterra has now loaded over 400,000 tonnes of growers’ grain onto vessels this season.
“We have more shipments booked across all of our port terminals to connect South Australian grain to international markets.
“As part of our upcoming shipping we are looking forward to loading the first vessel at Thevenard … and means 2024/25 shipping will be under way at all Viterra ports.”