How Grain Handling Technology Evolved with the Introduction of Updated Technologies?

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Every farmer is a gambler. They gamble on the weather and are completely dependent on how the weather turns out to be in order for their crops to flourish and profit from it. The crops can get destroyed due to a storm or they can turn on perfect because of the appropriate weather conditions. This is one thing that the science lacks control in to a considerable degree. Farmers are on the mercy of the weather to either bring them a good year in farming or make them bear a terrible loss.

When it comes to grain storage science has blessed us with incredible technology. Since the industrial age, many progressions have been made in terms of handling crops. Farmers profiting from grain crops have benefitted with better maintenance for the crop and better storage facilities. Here are some of the recent technological advances that science has blessed the grains crops with.

NECO’s COMMANDnet:

Grain drying is only required for as much as 2 months.  Despite that, this process is an important aspect for the farmers as well as the consumers. In case of the failure of a grain dryer machine, the whole operations can come to total halt. Improper dryness can cause the grain to get damaged in the grain storage and can render it totally useless before it is even transported for sale.  People would have to sit through the whole process in close proximity to the machine. This was done irrespective of the time, in order to protect the crop from perishing due to the malfunctioning of a dryer. This phenomenon changed after the introduction of ConnectPort X4 Gateway.

The system was introduced by NECO team and is now equipped in every dryer. It utilizes device cloud then passes on the information to a custom web application of NECO, COMMANDnet. This granted easy access to farmers, dealers and NECO itself. Just like most fields in farming and transportation, trucks are going digital, it only makes sense that grain drying can make use of this technology. Now farmers don’t need to spend all their time being physically present with the machine but instead can get alerts in the forms of SMS or e-mails. They can also have applications in their smartphone, computers or tablets with which they can log in and review the progress.

360 Bullets:

360 Bullets is yet another innovation in grain handling, conserving the nutrients of the grains while providing quality harvest. Prior to the introduction of 360 Bullets to the farmers, the traditional rippers were prone to penetrate the soil by a small percentage. These later affects the crop, which in turn ends up receiving less nutrients than it should. 360 Bullets is although known to be only 1.5% slower than its predecessor, but gets the job done right. It eliminates undisturbed berms and rips the soil deeper than any other ripper. It ruptures the soil surface so that the roots can have a smooth transition to the subsoil’s moisture level. It has the added benefit of having the same horsepower as its forerunners.

Tribine:

With technology improving throughout the years, a lot of old practices in farming have nearly become extinct. Another machine that is changing the game for farmers is Tribine.  This machine has the capacity to eliminate the need of a tractor or a grain cart completely. Adding more to its benefit is its speed, which is faster than the two conventional machines combined. It harbors a 1000-bushel grain bin which can be unloaded in just over two minutes. Its 500 gallon fuel tank provides it with the capability to work continuously for 24 hours. Another innovation that has been made is that the cab floor is entirely made up of glass. This grants a wider range of vision for the surroundings. It also boasts of having a tighter radius for turning than other combines. These features make the machine more desirable and intensely awaited. It is expected to release soon in 2017.

All these inventions are introduced to provide a smoother system of farming and grain handling. These machines make the painstakingly difficult work of any average farmer, less time consuming and more profitable. The machines listed here are capable of doing exactly that. Technology can always be counted upon to better the lifestyle of any industry and therefore should be embraced by all the farmers across the world. It is the perfect way to compete with a market with high demand. 

Grain Storage Tips for Winter

When it comes to long-term grain storage, it’s no secret that maintaining the ideal temperature throughout the year is of paramount importance. With global warming causing more unpredictable weather patterns, being prepared is very necessary to maintain a high quality of grain. This article will discuss a few of the issues.

Overcoming Problems of Grain Storage

Most types of grain need to be kept in cool, dry environments, which is why silos and grain storage rings are so widely used. Studies suggest that dry grain should be cooled to between -5 to 0 degrees prior to harvest in the winter time. As the climate becomes colder, grain needs to be stored in an even cooler environment, so while it’s arguably more favorable to store grain under colder weather conditions, precautions still do need to be taken.

Hotter conditions present problems of their own. For one, grains need to be kept moisture-free, so poor management of grain in humid weather can lead to mold growth, which obviously reduces quality. This is a problem particularly with grain that has just been harvested. Modern processes of grain drying, including aeration (using airflow to dry and cool grain), are the obvious solution in these cases.

In the winter time, keeping grain at lower temperatures can reduce the likelihood of insects getting involved, as they are usually at a different state than normal at sub 10 degree Celsius. However, there are problems with grain drying under these circumstances for certain grains, given that condensation can form as a result.

Furthermore, while the air temperature outside can be cold, studies indicate that on sunny days the solar factor can come into effect. When exposed to the sun for long periods, grain on the inner outer walls of the bin can be heated and end considerably warmer than is ideal.

Precautions

As mentioned, the main problems that can affect grain storage are related to moisture levels, temperature and insects/birds that may get inside. Here are a few ways of overcoming these issues.

Check grains and temperature levels weekly

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The main means of overcoming these is proper monitoring on your part to ensure that the temperature is at the appropriate level. Inspect the bin and the temperature gauge, start the fans - if the air feels humid, which is possible under these conditions, running the fans may be an option. Most importantly, you should check humidity and temperature at various locations as this can differ from one spot to another.

Do Not Use Fans During Rain or Fog

It's recommended to refrain from using fans when weather conditions are poor, mainly because there is a high risk of blowing more moisture into the bin, which is exactly the opposite of what you’re trying to do.

Cover Fans And Ducts Once Grain is Cooled

Winter is unpredictable at the best of times, and even more so in certain parts of Australia. Once the grain is cooled and is ready for long term storage, you need to ensure that the bin is well sealed and weather-tight. If you fail to do so, heavy rains, hail, or even snow could enter the bin and cause huge problems. This also ensures rodents and other small animals don’t find their way in (they tend to be more likely to do so when food is harder to find during winter).

As mentioned, careful monitoring on your part is hugely important and should not be overlooked. For more information, feel free to contact the team at Advantec, who provide a range of grain storage solutions, handling equipment and advice to those in need.