UPDATE: Farmers in the Esperance Port Zone are concluding their harvest operations, marking a significant milestone in a year described as a “dream run” for grain yields. As of November 30, 2025, the Esperance region has delivered an impressive 2.6 million tonnes of grain, leading the state in harvest progress.
New reports indicate that the grain harvest in Western Australia has seen a strong start, kicking off with a remarkable 55-tonne barley delivery at the CBH Group Chadwick site on October 12. Many farmers, including Scaddan’s Tom Curnow, wrapped up their operations by December 1, successfully navigating challenges such as header issues and sporadic rainfall.
Curnow, who managed to harvest a crop of 50 percent GM canola and the rest split between wheat and barley over 3,600 hectares, noted, “This year’s crop went pretty smoothly.” He reflected on last year’s challenges, stating, “Last year we finished around the third of December, but this year we had just a few days lost to weather.”
Meanwhile, farmers Pete and Tash Piggott, located 65 km west of Esperance, reported a “relatively wet growing season.” They planted 1,625 hectares each of wheat and canola across a total of 3,250 hectares and anticipate completing their harvest by December 2. “Canola and wheat yields have both been pretty good, but wheat quality has been a bit mixed,” Ms. Piggott commented.
According to the latest crop report from the Grain Industry Association of WA, harvest progress in the Esperance and Geraldton Port Zones is ahead of other regions. Author Michael Lamond noted that the Esperance area is well advanced, with growers nearing the halfway mark, though some delays have occurred on the eastern side due to late start times.
In an optimistic forecast, Lamond projected that both regions could achieve new tonnage records of approximately 4.5 million tonnes if the current momentum continues. CBH Group Chief Operations Officer Mick Daw confirmed that warm and dry weather conditions are expected to enhance harvesting efficiency, saying, “We know that growers are reporting higher than expected yields.”
The harvest has already seen two record-setting days, including a new daily receival record for the CBH network, with 600,000 tonnes received on two occasions. This surge underscores the significance of the 2025 harvest and its impact on the local agricultural economy.
As operations wrap up, farmers across the Esperance region are celebrating a successful season, with many looking ahead to the anticipated completion of their harvests. The collaboration among growers and the support from organizations like the CBH Group have been crucial in navigating challenges this season, ensuring a prosperous outcome for the farming community.
Stay tuned for more updates as the harvest concludes and yields are finalized across the region.
