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Grain Storage Facilities

Top tips for grain storage success

Take a sneak peek at some of GRDC’s storage extension team’s favourite systems.

The grain storage extension team regularly meets growers and industry participants on-farm to run workshops and provide specialist advice. Examples of well-laid-out facilities, smart features, ideas and innovations are highlighted here to help inspire other growers who are investing in grain storage infrastructure.

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26/02/2022 No Comments
Grain Aeration

Local study breathes fresh air into grain aeration

Key points
– Existing back-pressure data for aerating grain was largely developed in the Northern Hemisphere via studies that date back as far as the 1950s
– Flow rates vary depending on the back pressure exerted by different grain and storage systems
– A prototype test rig is under development to enable testing of local storage systems

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26/02/2022 No Comments
Grain Storage Facilities

Getting the most out of ground-level fumigation

Key message
– Ground-level fumigation systems are safer for users, but phosphine can be explosive, so precautions are needed to ensure a safe and effective fumigation.
Phosphine fumigation can now be completed using ground-level application systems, which are much safer as the user does not need to climb to the top of the silo. But some key features and precautions are needed for successful and safe fumigation:

– recirculation;
– space for liberation;
– condensation trap; and
– pressure relief for power outage.

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26/02/2022 No Comments
Grain Storage Facilities

When to open sealed silos

Key points
– Gas-tight sealable silos should meet the Australian Standard AS2628-2010 for sealing but should only be sealed during a fumigation
– Open sealed silos after fumigation to protect seals and grain quality and, importantly, to prevent excess fumigant absorption

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26/02/2022 No Comments
Insect Control

Successful fumigation: GAS-TIGHT AND JUST RIGHT

Key points
– Successful pest control in storages depends on combining regular grain monitoring, good hygiene, aeration cooling and correct fumigation practices
– Fumigation results rely on a gas-tight sealable storage to achieve the required gas concentrations and exposure times (C x T) to kill all insect pest life stages
– In larger silos (150 to 2000 tonnes) recirculating gases using a small fan during the fumigation ensures rapid, uniform distribution of phosphine gas

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01/02/2022 No Comments
Grain Storage Facilities

When to seal silos

Grain Storage Specialist Ben White explains when to seal and when not to leave silos sealed, and the risks of getting it wrong.  

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20/12/2021 No Comments
Grain Storage Facilities

Guide to buying silos

Grain Storage Specialist Ben White looks at the key components and features to consider when buying silos.

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20/12/2021 No Comments
Grain Storage Facilities

Pressure testing silos

Grain Storage Specialist Ben White demonstrates how to do a pressure test to ensure silos meet the Australian Standard 2628 -2010 for gas-tight sealing. 

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20/12/2021 No Comments

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