WA growers are on track to harvest a record-breaking 27 million tonnes of grain, surpassing the 2022 record by 2 million tonnes. This achievement is attributed to favorable seasonal conditions and a strategic shift away from livestock production. The Grain Industry Association of WA (GIWA) anticipates releasing its final report next month, with figures expected to exceed 27.2 million tonnes. Michael Lamond, an author, describes the outcome as exceptional, noting that it was not a result many farmers anticipated at the start of the grain-growing season. Despite a late start in the Geraldton zone, the central areas are not in record territory, but the higher volume of crops sown this season has contributed to the overall increase in yields. Lake Grace farmer Royce Taylor attributes the success to a combination of factors, including improved barley yields in the Lake Grace area, the transition from sheep to more hectares, and favorable weather conditions. However, some areas, like Goodlands, have missed out on the positive harvest, highlighting the variability of the industry. The CBH Group, a major grain storer and handler, has received a record-breaking 4.05 million tonnes in the Esperance port zone, surpassing the previous record of 3.7 million tonnes. The Albany general port zone has also seen impressive results, receiving 5.35 million tonnes, 700,000 tonnes above the previous zone record. The Kwinana South zone has also begun out-loading, with 4.6 million tonnes received and high-quality grain. The exceptional harvest is expected to boost the WA economy by over $10 billion, but global market pressures may impact prices.
