Wheat harvest and cotton crop brings jobs and business to Bourke

Wheat harvest on Darling Farms west of Bourke. Inset – AFF Farm Manager John Carter on their Carbuu property. Photos TWH

Fields have turned from green to brown and the tractors are churning out the long hours, as the Bourke wheat harvest is in full swing.

Approximately 1,200 hectares of wheat were planted out on Darling Farms and Gidgee Lake by owners Australian Food and Fibre (AFF).

Farm Manager John Carter says the quality of the crop is great with large fully developed seed with good length.

“There’s no cracked seed in the crop, which is good, and the moisture content is right - about eight per cent. That’s exactly where we’d like it to be.

“Anything between five and twelve percent is good, but eight is the sweet spot.

Mr Carter said the farm is about halfway through its harvest, with an expected average yield of around seven tonnes per hectare, which is fantastic.

“Harvest has been smooth, but slow because the yield is so high. It means the machinery moves a lot more slowly.

“Our season hasn’t been rain-affected and with no rain on the horizon, the rest of the harvest should continue smoothly too,” Mr Carter said.

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AFF workers Erin Geddes, Sophie Grant, Sophie Redden, Angel Gale, Brianna Cole and Claudia Dunn literally relaxing in the fruit of the harvest. Photo TWH