THE warm, fine weather last week meant the SA harvest was more than a third complete, with 2.93 million tonnes already received.
Despite one of the driest springs on record, the November PIRSA Crop and Pasture Report estimated total crop production would remain at 7.5mt for the 2014-15 season.
Agriculture Minister Leon Bignell said the above-average crop estimate represented a farmgate value of about $1.8 billion, and an export value of $2.2b.
"Even though we have had a warm and dry spring, the stored soil moisture from above-average rainfall earlier in the season has really benefited this year's crop," he said.
"Despite the difficult conditions, this year's crop production level is nearly 1mt above the 10-year average of 6.6mt."
Reaping continued at a cracking pace across the state, with a massive 1.21mt delivered to Viterra's storage and handling system in just seven days.
Ideal conditions last week resulted in four consecutive days of Viterra sites receiving more than 200,000t.
Most of these deliveries were for wheat and barley. Canola receivals also increased.
Three sites across the Viterra storage and handling network broke daily receival records last week.
On the Eyre Peninsula, Lock and Wudinna broke daily receival records on Monday last week, at 9900t and 6400t respectively.
Crystal Brook also broke its daily receival record with 5500t, on the same day.
Harvest has also ramped up in the South East, with Frances and Peake opening last week for grower deliveries.
Feed barley and wheat continued to be the main commodities received; faba beans and canola also increased.
PIRSA's grains industry account manager Dave Lewis said the Upper EP's crop was the best performer in the state.
* Full report in Stock Journal, November 20, 2014 issue.
Paula Thompson
Stock Journal's markets editor.
Stock Journal's markets editor.
