The grains industry knows that harvest waits for no one – and this season is no exception, with GrainCorp’s sites in northern NSW on track for their second-best season on record.

One of those sites leading the charge is Coonamble, the largest in the GrainCorp network, having already surpassed the 400,000-tonne mark this season.

What’s more, Coonamble’s harvest began with a bang when trucks rolled through the gates 10 days earlier than their usual kick off. 

This unprecedented early start saw tonnes of grain pile onto the bunkers at pace – and to manage the surge, the team had to adapt swiftly, reallocating people and equipment from other sites to meet growers’ needs.

In response to increased canola deliveries, the team shifted a stacker from wheat to canola, significantly boosting site efficiency.

This adjustment led to a record-breaking performance: for seven consecutive days, the team received over 4,500 tonnes of canola, setting a new daily record for canola receivals by 2,000 tonnes. 

According to Area Manager Tom Koerstz, the site’s success is a testament to the dedication and adaptability of the site team.

“We faced some delays while waiting on extra equipment, like mobile stackers, but our team adapted quickly and efficiently,” says Tom.

“Once the additional equipment and people arrived, we brought turnaround times back to standard and kept operations running smoothly.

“Overall throughput has been impressive, with peak days exceeding 23,500 tonnes across wheat, barley, and canola combined.”

The Coonamble team comprises a mix of seasoned locals and new recruits brought in to manage the bumper harvest.

“Half of our team is made up of locals, and the other half are newcomers – so we’ve got a good mix of experienced and fresh energy,” says Tom.

The harvest has also highlighted the exceptional quality of grains and oilseeds being delivered across the region. With nearby Gulargambone and Gilgandra sites receiving their fair share of this whopping crop, this harvest will be one for the books.

Gilgandra and Coonamble sites have benefited from GrainCorp’s recent investments, with an extra 500,000-plus tonnes of storage built across the region in recent years. 

“Between Coonamble, Gular and Gilgandra, we now have a combined storage capacity of around 1.3 million tonnes to support growers in the region,” says Tom.

“We know that in the good years, this region can go from boom to bust very quickly, and so it’s crucial that we have the storage capacity to accommodate those volumes in the area.

“Pleasingly, the quality and quantity of grain received so far this season has been exceptional, and we’ve seen minimal issues with weed seeds, thanks to the vigilance of growers and GrainCorp’s quality management processes.”

As the busy season continues, GrainCorp remains committed to providing efficient, timely service to all growers and helping bring this high-quality crop to market.