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Insect Control

Phosphine curbs cowpea weevils in stored pulses

Key points
– Cowpea weevils – or bruchids – are an important insect pest in stored pulse crops in tropical and subtropical Australia
They can be effectively controlled using label rates of phosphine fumigant in sealed silos over a minimum period of seven days
– No major differences in tolerance to phosphine were identified in 15 populations collected from multiple Queensland locations

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26/02/2022 No Comments
Grain Quality

Lentil storage and the colour of money

Key points
– A new study is investigating the impact of high temperatures and high moisture content on lentil storage to help growers protect grain quality
– Important quality traits such as seed coat colour (redness), germination efficiency and cooking quality were adversely affected by inappropriate storage conditions in as little as four months

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26/02/2022 No Comments
Insect Control

Probing phosphine resistance in rusty grain beetle

Key points
– Strong resistance to phosphine in rusty grain beetle has increased substantially since the first resistant population was discovered in 2007
– The rusty grain beetle is mobile and resistant populations are present across the full spectrum of the grain supply chain
– Area-wide integrated pest and resistance management has the potential to suppress this problematic species indefinitely

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26/02/2022 No Comments
Insect Control

Users must heed rising phosphine resistance

Key points
– Strong resistance to phosphine in stored grain insects has both increased and spread over the past decade, with more detections in eastern Australia than Western Australia
– Misuse of phosphine, particularly in unsealed storages, appears to be the main reason for the development of strong resistance

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26/02/2022 No Comments
Insect Control

Phosphine venting and delivery limits require more research

Key points
– Testing phosphine residue in trucks at receival sites is required for operator safety and label compliance
– Sampling and testing methods require further research and development to avoid penalising those doing the right thing
– Using a phosphine meter on farm is the surest way to avoid truckloads being rejected

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26/02/2022 No Comments
Grain Storage Facilities

Boosting on-farm storage with bags and bunkers

With care, bags and bunkers can provide a practical solution to the harvest logistics challenge.

High-quality sealed silos offer top-of-the-range storage, but the boom in demand for on-farm storage means growers are also exploring cheaper options to expand capacity.

Bags and bunkers have become a popular, more affordable choice, but growers need to be on their toes to avoid costly failures with these temporary storage solutions.

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26/02/2022 No Comments
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

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