RAINFALL throughout southern NSW and north east Victoria has delayed the progress of the 2009 season harvest for a second year in a row.

An article written in early December 2008 reported harvest for the region had been subject to consistent weekly falls throughout November with total rainfall during this period ranging from 75 – 90mm throughout Southern NSW and 60 – 120mm throughout north east Victoria.

This year the falls throughout the 2009 season harvest period have ranged from 62 – 87mm throughout southern NSW and 65 – 75mm throughout NE Victoria.
These falls were recorded between November 22 and December 1, 2009.

Harvesting of canola commenced throughout the first week of November and was complete before this rainfall which leaves only wheat and barley crops still standing to bare the brunt of the recent inclement weather.

Quality issues have been difficult to gauge as harvest only recommenced mid week.

In southern NSW the majority of wheat harvested to date has been high in quality and classified as H1 & H2.

Post the recent rain, a number of quality issues have emerged.

This year, we are again seeing falling number analysis conducted upon delivery at local receivals points and the introduction of additional segregations to accommodate grades other than the above mentioned.

Test weight has been one issue which has led to downgrading, now falling below 74kg/hl and falling number analysis a second, returning results below 300 (seconds).

With high protein levels still evident, deliveries can still be classified as AUH2 which is now showing a $20 deduction from H1 and $10 from H2.

Sprouted grain has been the third issue, which has resulted in the downgrading to feed quality as a nil tolerance by percentage is applicable to all other grades.

Quality issues in wheat have been minimal to date throughout NE Victoria.

Falling number analysis results remain well above 300 (seconds), few issues regarding low test weight have been reported and minimal sprouting of grain has been detected upon visual assessment.

Further rain before the completion of harvest will alleviate any quality issues and growers will be hoping any forecast rain does not eventuate in the short term. 

Harvesting of barley throughout Southern NSW is almost complete.

However, for those with crops still standing, all of the above mentioned issues in regard to wheat quality are now also evident in barley samples. We expect any remaining barley deliveries to be binned as feed.