Findings from the 12-month Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investment, led by the Grower Group Alliance (GGA), have been compiled from a study conducted across 75 sites during harvest 2021.

GGA found the average losses in wheat and barley crops were around two and 4.6 per cent per hectare respectively. In canola, losses were measured at 3.2 per cent per hectare but were as high as 10 per cent at some sites.

Results indicate that, using receival figures from Grain Industry Western Australia (GIWA) and the price of grain at harvest, more than $300 million worth of grain was likely left in paddocks last season from front and other machine losses across all crops grown in WA.

In comparison, industry wide loss benchmarks are less than one per cent per hectare for cereals and two to three per cent per hectare for canola but should be balanced with harvest capacity and machine running costs.

GGA Program Broker, Mark Holland, said that historically, growers had relied on visual assessment of grain on the ground to measure losses, but this method did not provide the accuracy needed for informed decisions about machine setup and setting changes.

"The importance of using drop trays to determine losses and calibrate loss sensors is critical," Holland said.

"In this study, growers using drop trays averaged 1.3 per cent machine losses across all crops, while those not using trays averaged 2.9 per cent.

Sampling was conducted by officers at Facey Group, Liebe Group and Stirlings to Coast Farmers, with protocols produced by Glen Riethmuller (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development), Peter Broley (Primary Sales) and Ben White (Kondinin Group).

GRDC Grower Relations Manager West, Jo Wheeler, said that the baselines for harvest losses established in the study would help growers gauge the magnitude of their harvest losses, while harvester set up forums connected them to the industry experts to help optimise their machines.

"Often growers aren't fully aware of the true extent of their harvest losses and the subsequent impact on their profitability," Wheeler said.

"Findings from this study confirm that measuring the grain thrown out of their harvesters is one of the single biggest things growers can do to put more profit in their pockets are harvest.

Results from the study will help to inform upcoming GRDC Western Harvester Forums beginning on 12 September.

Coordinated by the Facey Group in WA as part of a national GRDC investment, the forums bring together industry experts and local growers to speak on integration of harvest weed seed control options, harvester fire prevention and accurate measurement and management of harvest losses.

Forums are planned across the following dates and locations:
- Tarin Rock - Monday 12 September
- Frankland - Tuesday 13 September
- Merredin - Tuesday 20 September 
- Buntine - Wednesday 21 September
- Chapman Valley - Thursday 22 September

To register for the GRDC Western Harvester Forums, visit the GRDC website https://grdc.com.au/events/list?etype=forum or contact the Facey Group on (08) 9888 1223 or email innovation@faceygroup.or.au