The stored grain extension team have put together some key resources on setting up and storing grain in bunkers. Rather than re-invent the wheel, useful information resources from commercial suppliers of bunker tarps and equipment has been included.
Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for health and safety when fumigating with phosphine.
The phosphine label mandates the use of a full-face respirator with a combination particulate (P1) and phosphine gas cartridge filter along with elbow-length rubber gloves to comply with label requirements.
As insect resistance to phosphine continues to climb across both on-farm and bulk storage, growers face a constant challenge: how to slow resistance while protecting grain quality and market access. Recent GRDC-supported resistance monitoring shows a slight dip in strong phosphine resistance this year, but the overall national trend remains upward, with about 30 per cent of pests now showing strong resistance—well above the 10–15 per cent level considered manageable.
Phosphine remains the most widely used fumigant in Australia’s grain industry due to its effectiveness, low cost, and residue-free status. However, increasing resistance among key insect pests highlights the need for strict adherence to best practice guidelines.
This comprehensive manual outlines:
1. Proper application methods across different storage types (silos, bunkers, sheds)
2. Critical factors such as gas concentration, exposure time, temperature, and moisture
3. Equipment for monitoring gas levels and ensuring safe fumigant handling
4. Strategies to delay and manage resistance, including use of sulfuryl fluoride and integrated pest management
Compiled by leading experts including Dr Manoj Nayak, Dr Joanne Holloway, Chris Warrick, and Patrick Wilson, this document is a valuable resource for growers, storage operators, and advisors working to maintain grain quality and market access.
During this video, Chris Warrick and Alex Conway discuss ‘Fumigation recirculation’ and provide guidance on both passive and powered systems.
During this video, Chris Warrick and Alex Conway discuss ‘Fumigating and venting grain bags’, providing information and advice on the venting process. This includes the timelines required for this practice.
Protecting your harvest from insect threats requires diligent control and precise fumigation practices. In GRDC’s article, Insect Control and Effective Fumigation Help Guard Your Harvest, the focus is on strategies to enhance biosecurity and preserve grain quality. Key points include:
Fumigation Best Practices: Effective fumigation techniques are critical for eliminating pests while safeguarding the crop.
Biosecurity Measures: A strong biosecurity approach helps prevent insect infestations before they become a threat.
Integrated Pest Management: Using a combination of methods, including proper storage and sanitation, can minimize pest risks.
Stay informed on the best methods to protect your harvest and ensure grain quality
Explore innovative pest management strategies focused on cleanliness and proactive practices in GRDC’s latest article, A Clean Approach to Pest Management. This approach highlights how effective sanitation and hygiene practices can reduce pest infestations, helping to maintain crop health and yield. Learn more about practical steps for pest prevention and control in this comprehensive guide.
Pre-harvest grain storage health check – Chris Warrick, Primary Business.
With harvest looming this livestream will address timely factors that will impact your grain storage outcomes. Preventing issues is always better than dealing with them and the loss they cause. Topics will include high impact hygiene, this year’s protectant choices and application, retrofitting and utilising aeration cooling.
Over the past five years, insect pests have become harder to control with the fumigant used widely in on-farm storage, the GRDC’s national monitoring and management program has found.