Wheat growers should make sure they check their pool Harvest Payments against the correct Golden Rewards payment matrices when reconciling their payments.

Western Region Manager Peter Hobbs said growers should refer to the Matrices from the October 23 pool update, which was used to calculate the Guaranteed Pool return and Harvest payment for most grades.

“The changes to payments from the Golden Rewards program means that pool payments will be calculated differently this season,” Mr Hobbs said.

“For example growers will receive 80 per cent of the protein and screenings premiums and discounts in the Harvest Payment, rather than 100 per cent of protein payments as was the case in previous years.

“Also, changes were made to the payment matrices for screenings last month, which reduced the penalties for high screenings and provided higher payments for low screenings wheat. Adjustments to allow for these changes will be paid in subsequent pool payments.”

Growers’ National Pool Harvest Payments will be based on the Guaranteed Pool Return as at October 23. The screenings increments for screenings above 5% were 55 cents per 0.1 per cent of screenings and 16.5 cents per 0.1 per cent of screenings below 5 per cent.

Mr Hobbs said growers who delivered against Basis Pool contracts would receive a 65 per cent harvest payment with 65 per cent of protein and screenings premiums and discounts.

Golden Rewards Payment Matrices from October 23 can be found on the AWB Limited website at www.awb.com.au. AWB Limited Area Offices and the Grower Services Centre (1800 054 433) can also assist growers with payment queries.

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For more information please contact:

Paul Ryan, AWB Limited Public Affairs

03 9209 2098, or 0408 347 282.