Viterra braces for bumper crop

Viterra will build new bunkers as well as upgrade existing bunker storage as part of its ongoing investment in its operations to meet the needs of growers during the critical harvest period.

Viterra Operations general manager Tim Krause said the season was looking positive this year and while spring conditions will determine the final crop size, Viterra has made the decision to build more storage.

“We start preparing for our harvest operations as soon as the previous harvest finishes,” he said.

“The decision to build more storage has to be made well in advance of knowing what the production is going to be, to have it ready for harvest.”

In consultation with Strategic Site Committee chairs and growers, Viterra has been closely monitoring production estimates to determine the sites which require additional capacity.

New bunkers are planned to be built at Wudinna, Lock, Rudall, Arno Bay, Wallaroo and Pinnaroo.

“We are also assessing options for the construction of new bunkers at Thevenard, Tumby Bay, and Port Giles,” Mr Krause said.

“These bunkers are in addition to the new bunkers built at Lock, Rudall, Arno Bay and Crystal Brook last year, which will be upgraded from temporary bunkers to permanent storage.

“This brings total storage capacity added to our network in the past two years to more than 600,000t.”

Mr Krause said Viterra would also triple its workforce for the coming harvest.

“We are now recruiting for more than 1600 casual workers and have a number of permanent positions available in regional SA,” he said.

“We strongly encourage people to apply as soon as possible.”