IT WILL be another couple of weeks before Stuart Kelly finishes harvest but the Gillingarra farmer is not complaining.
Stuart, pictured with daughter and chaser bin driver Tessa, had an above-average 2016 season, despite some quality issues in his 2300 hectare cropping program.
Stuart and wife Andrea cropped 900ha of canola this year, along with 900ha of wheat and 500ha of barley.
Following an early November start to harvest, canola was the standout performer with yields well above average.
"Oils were exceptional at around 45 to 51 per cent which was a great bonus," Stuart said.
He is now spending time mixing noodle wheat, with low protein a common local issue.
"We have good yields at about half a tonne better than average, but protein is down.
"Normally we have cut off seasons, but this year we were two weeks earlier and two weeks later at the end so we have a few quality issues."
Stuart said he would consider a change of variety in noodle wheat from Calingiri to Zen next year.
Despite little apparent frost damage with 800ha yet to be harvested, he has some concern about his remaining Bass barley.
"We haven't done the barley yet and that's in our likely frosted country where we've been hit before."
Stuart is hoping to wrap up the season by Christmas.
"It's going to be a squeeze but I can't complain."
