Week ending Sunday 15 November 2020 report

We received over 680,000 tonnes into our sites last week, taking our total receivals for the harvest past the million tonne milestone to over 1.3 million.

Monday was our busiest day last week, and our busiest day so far this season, with deliveries into sites reaching nearly 180,000 tonnes.

Viterra’s Lock site had its highest receival day on record on Monday 9 November with 8,365 tonnes delivered.

The previous daily receival record for the site was during the 2016/17 record harvest with 7,926 tonnes.

Local grower Lindsay Matthews delivered the load that broke the record and celebrated with Viterra staff.

Lindsay’s load was delivered from his Koomaview property, east of Kyancutta on behalf of his family business with his son Wesley, and Wesley’s wife, Karen.

The load of wheat was then upgraded through dynamic binning.

Viterra Western region Operations Manager Nick Pratt says the team at site did an amazing job receiving 209 deliveries in one day efficiently and safely.

“Our employees are an asset to our business and it is a credit to them for managing the busiest receival day on record, particularly early on into harvest,” Nick says.

“It’s been fantastic to see the level of support we’ve had from growers and carriers, and we congratulate them on breaking the record and their efforts at site which have helped operations run smoothly.

“We have been working hard to ensure growers are being turned around as quickly as possible so they can get their crops off.

“We’ve received great feedback on our flexible opening hours which we’ve extended until late when they’ve needed it.

“Backed by our large workforce, we’re able to quickly adapt to growers’ changing needs and run double shifts to remain open, while ensuring the safety of our employees, grower customers and communities.”

Viterra Central region Operations Manager Jack Tansley says the Central region had 13 sites open for the week.

“We received nearly 260,000 tonnes last week with the majority of activity in the region on the Yorke Peninsula and mid north,” Jack says.

“Our Gladstone and Booleroo Centre sites picked up with barley making up the majority of deliveries. Meanwhile, in the north of the region wheat deliveries are increasing as barley slows.”

In the Eastern region, 10 sites are now receiving grain after our Keith site welcomed its first load for the season on Tuesday with a load of barley.

Viterra Eastern region Operations Manager Jo Klitscher says the weather slowed deliveries into the site for the rest of the week.

“Cold and wet weather in the south east of the region has pushed back the start of harvest. Growers are hoping the weather will improve so they can get things going,” Jo says.

“The weather was better for other areas in the region and we saw deliveries into sites such as Tailem Bend ramp up last week.

“We are seeing strong deliveries of lentils into sites and are commencing outturns to ensure there is space for growers to deliver.”

Disclaimer
* This data is subject to variation due to individual site operations and the timing of reports.
** The total 2020/21 data includes grain received into Viterra’s storage and handling network since 3 October 2020.
*** Eastern region data includes Inner Harbour and Victorian sites.