The past 30 years has been a tumultuous period in grain storage infrastructure and technology.
The rise of centralised bulk handlers capable of receiving multiple grain segregations, along with increased on-farm storage, has resulted in a plethora of niche marketing opportunities that have replaced the old original network of about 900 local silos around the country. Some, like the one at Rosebery, Victoria (pictured), now host an epic artwork attracting a line of tourists swapping caravan stories, rather than a line of grain trucks.
But silo closures are only part of the story. These changes have provided greater opportunities for growers to both target and time their marketing to achieve premium farmgate prices, or access niche markets and quality segregations.
The shift to on-farm storage has also been driven by the need to streamline logistics in response to improvements to harvest efficiency and capacity, and the need to reduce downtime and freight costs. Grain is also stored for future sowing or to support diversification through livestock or value-adding.
Investing in change
GRDC’s investment has focused on enabling grain growers to design and actively manage reliable, fit-for-purpose and cost-effective on-farm grain storage and handling systems. Our goal is for grain growers to optimise profit from every tonne of grain by reducing costs and capturing greater value from the full range of market opportunities.
Our investments focus on grain storage practices, managing pests and limiting insecticide resistance, safety and protecting grain quality to ensure long-term profitability through access to high-quality markets.
Central to this is our investment in the ‘Grain Storage Extension Project’, which has supported growers to implement change during a period where the volume of grain stored on-farm has doubled. The dedicated extension team works closely with growers, researchers and industry to share information and help identify areas that need further research and extension.
A key aspect of on-farm storage is workplace safety. Climbing silos, using chemicals and operating augers and other moving parts all pose a risk. While advances in technology can overcome some of these issues, educating growers on safe practices and potential improvements is a top priority.
Through our investment in ‘National Resistance Monitoring for Insect Pests of Stored Grain’ we aim to maximise the efficacy of insect control and limit the further development of insecticide resistance to ensure we can meet market demands for insect-free grain.
With many growers choosing to hold grain on-farm for a year or more, we are also targeting investment to better understand the impact of storage conditions on grain quality and to better understand what is within our control.
Just as the investments growers make today in on-farm storage infrastructure will serve them for many years into the future, we are confident GRDC’s current investments are not only of value to growers today but also will continue to deliver for many years to come.
More information: Graeme Sandral, 0409 226 235, graeme.sandral@grdc.com.au; Leigh Nelson, 0408 305 600, leigh.nelson@grdc.com.au
Read more stories from the Grain Storage Supplement.