Farmer Benefits from Early Harvest and Safe Grain Storage provided by SBS Agri
SBS Agri successfully completed a two phase installation at a Midlands farm to provide both additional grain storage and a grain drying solution, allowing the farmer to benefit from early harvesting, at a higher grain moisture, reducing on field risks. The installation provided enough storage capacity to reduce the need for off farm storage.
The installation included four silos, a wet bin with aeration floor, a dryer fitted with an SBS Agri Hot Air Generator and storage bins with an SBS Agri Automatic Fan Control Unit. This system allows the farmer to dry his grain to within the desired moisture content range, terminating the drying process when a moisture content of between 15-17% is achieved which reduces both drying time and cost.
SBS Agri Dryer and Hot Air Generator
The grain is then moved to the storage bins fitted with aeration fans, where it is cooled to further reduce the moisture content by up to 3% bringing the grain to the globally accepted threshold of below 14% moisture content.
“By maintaining the storage temperature and keeping grain at a constant temperature of between 15 – 20°C, the SBS Agri AFCU helps to protect the farmer’s crops for extended storage,” says Conraad Purchase, Technical Director, SBS Agri. “Mould and pests thrive in moist warm conditions. Our system keeps the grain at a reduced temperature which will help prevent mould and pest development while still keeping the grain at the right moisture content.
The SBS Agri Automatic Fan Control unit controls the aeration fans on storage bins using electronic humidity sensors. It is designed to automatically select the best time to run, with the sensors, set to the specific grain equilibrium chart recommendations, are able to measure the humidity in the atmosphere to an accuracy of within 2%.
SBS Agri Hot Air Generator
“This system gives the farmer peace of mind, even allowing them to go on holiday as it eliminates the risk of human error and need for constant manual monitoring. It is a game changer for farmers,” Purchase says. ‘We want to help you get the best prices for your grain. Do you want to be able to harvest early and get in while the market prices are at their peak?”
The time to start planning is now and with SBS Agri solutions you can harvest up to 3 months earlier, at a higher moisture content and be “the early bird who gets the worm!” Email info@sbsagri.co.za or call: +27(0) 86 048 2657 or visit our website for more information on our grain drying and cooling solutions.
