Tailem Bend grain bunker receives first delivery of 2024-25 harvest

Rick Bonython has made Tailem Bend Viterra's first delivery for the 2024-25 harvest season.

Tailem Bend grain bunker receives first delivery of 2024-25 harvest
Viterra employees Daniel Morena and Desmond Andriske welcome carrier Rick Bonython, delivering for Smimac Farming Trust. Photo: Viterra.

Carrier Rick Bonython has delivered Tailem Bend's first load of grain for the 2024-25.

The Viterra site got 152 tonnes of barley last Thursday, October 17, from Smimac Farming Trust.

In total, the first growers delivered 1300 tonnes to Viterra's sites last week, with barley making up the majority.

The 2024-25 harvest season may not get as busy as grain handlers would usually encounter with the dry winter conditions.

The area of wheat, barley, lentils, vetch and canola to be harvested is expected to reduce due lack of rainfall and the impact of frost, according to the most recent South Australian Crop and Pasture Report.

The outlook for October to December is for an increased chance of exceeding median rainfall for SA, however it may be too late to increase crop yield.

Charts show rainfall deciles for the six-month period from March to August, and the chance of exceeding median rainfall from October to December. Images: PIRSA.

Many farmers will be forced to either graze or cut their crops for hay, making the current estimated grain production for 2024-25 5.9 million tonnes.

This is 35 per cent below the five-year average and the lowest total since 2018-19.

On a positive note, Viterra recently won regional business of the year at the 2024 South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards.

Regional chief executive officer Philip Hughes took the opportunity to acknowledge his team across South Australia.

“Many of our employees live and work in SA’s regional communities, where our customers and business partners also live and work," he said.

Last season the grain industry was worth more than $1.2 billion to the state economy, he said.

đź’ˇ
Help Murray Bridge News tell our community’s stories by subscribing or booking an advertisement today.