Oilseeds ups crushing capacity on last year

Cootamundra Oilseeds Commercial Manager Andrew Puckeridge said the delay in commencing harvest has meant they are still crushing last year’s seed. 

He has been buying seed from local silos and the wider region including West Wyalong, Parkes and Forbes.

With this supply dwindling, Mr Puckeridge is looking forward to seeing this year’s crop come in. 

He expects to purchase up to 30,000 tonnes of canola seed and is confident this can be sourced from the local district. 

This tonnage is up on previous years as new equipment at the plant allows production of their ‘Cootamundra Gold’ canola oil brand to ramp up. 

While some canola around the district was wiped out during the wet winter with upwards of a foot of water flowing through paddocks, most crops have fared well. 

“Crops which survived are doing very well and are very robust,” Mr Puckeridge said. 

It is expected those crops which have not been sitting in water as a result of one of the wettest winters in history will yield well. 

Mr Puckeridge said he has heard predicted yields anywhere from 1.4 tonnes to the hectare up to three tonnes. 

“I am confident there is enough good crop out there,” Mr Puckeridge said. 

Windrowing has begun around the Stockinbingal area with Cootamundra, Wallendbeen, Harden and Jugiong all to follow. 

It is anticipated harvest will run right up until Christmas this year in some areas. 

Prices are expected to be in the favour of growers with snow in Canada putting some pressure on what is coming out of the traditionally strong country. 

This upwards trend does put some pressure on the crush margins of Cootamundra Oilseeds, according to Mr Puckeridge, however he is still anticipating a strong year given their increased capacity. 

Cootamundra Oilseeds is fully owned by farmers, businessmen and employees in Cootamundra and today employs 24 people.