On-farm grain storage

Divided into two phases, the first phase of this project aims to develop a simple cost-effective device that uses materials and equipment readily available to growers to enable them to test the "working airflow rates" achieved by their aeration systems. Once this has been developed, phase two will apply this new technology to investigate the feasibility of using aeration to cool grain stored in silo bags to maximise the usefulness of this form of storage as a harvest buffer. The rationale behind this is that there are a variety of economic drivers encouraging farmers to store the grain on farm. This has resulted in substantially more grain being stored by growers and for much longer periods than ever before. Grain stored on farm is constantly under threat of infestation from insects, farmers need cost effective methods to minimise the impact of insect infestation and protect the market value of the grain. Reducing the temperature of stored grains provides nonchemical methods that can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of insect infestations and has added benefits of reducing mould development and maintaining grain quality. Cooling is most economically achieved by using small fans attached to the silo to drive cool dry air at low speed through the grain mass, a process known as aeration.

 

This project is funded by the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for one year (2011-2012)

For further information, please contact Chris Saunders