Farmers across Western Australia's growing regions say bad weather and other logistical challenges could delay what is looking like another record-breaking harvest.
The harvest usually starts in early November in southern WA, with the aim to finish around Christmas, but this year has been different.
Headers across southern WA have spent extended periods parked up over the past few weeks, with moisture levels in the crop and soil too high to continue harvesting.
Analysts have tipped that this season's harvest could break last year's tonnage of 24 million, but that might be at risk due to persistent rainfall and haulage and labour challenges.
Newdegate farmer Damien Ness is staying positive, despite the stop-start nature of the work this year.
"We were just getting a bit frustrated because we wanted to get out there and harvest these good crops we got, but we'll get there in the end," he said.
"Last year was definitely a record for us, and up until now some of the yields are quite good, so if it keeps tracking that way, it could be a record for us."
His property has had more than 400mm of rain this year, where the average usually sits around 300mm.
In the same boat
In Mindarabin, more than 100 kilometres south-west of Newdegate, farmers are facing the same conundrum.
Wemyss Estate cropping manager Kelvin Hams has given up hope of finishing the harvest by Christmas.
"This is probably one of the poorest starts to the harvest I've seen in many years," he said.
"So far the quality [of grain] has been really good … [we] just need to get into it."
He said his harvest had been delayed by about a fortnight.
"Everyone I've spoken to across the state, [they're] all delayed, in the same boat, so we're not alone in it," he said.
Improving infrastructure
Damien Ness's brother Dwight said the record yields in recent seasons had brought their own additional challenges.
Trucks and machinery have all grown in scale, but he said freight and transport continued to be key issues.
"Whether it be CBH or whoever, they just need to be able to take [the grain] away from us a little bit better," he said.
"Their infrastructure probably needs to go with our infrastructure and keep getting larger and bigger, faster."
CBH reported there was still a carryover of just under 2.5 million tonnes of grain from last year sitting in the co-operative's storage bins.
With another potential record at hand, farmers fear this backlog is only set to increase.
"It's already a challenge for CBH to get the grain moved from last year, let alone move last year's and this year's," Dwight Ness said.
"They've got a fairly big challenge ahead of them."
Good vibes
Despite the grain handling issues, Dwight Ness said a great crop year brought high spirits to rural communities.
"It's awesome to have a good season … the vibe around town is great," he said.
"Communities have more fun when you go to the pub and everyone's happy and smiling."
