Store Your Harvest & Protect Your Income

Written By Rob Lowe

With harvest underway now until December, no doubt the subject of grain storage is in focus. There are a variety of storage solutions available and finding the best one depends on your requirements. In any case, protecting income by reducing spoilage and thus loss while also taking control of when you sell your harvest and where you store it is important.

Available storage solutions:

  • Grain Bunkers

  • Grain silos

  • Grain storage bags/silo bags

Grain Bunkers

Grain bunkers are largely constructed from 40Mpa precast concrete walls that can be configured to suit the space. The flooring is generally covered with durable plastic sheeting and grain can be covered with high strength tarp to protect grains from pests, weather and UV rays.

The flexibility of grain bunkers means that the walls can be moved from one site to another and storage capacity can be changed dependent on requirements. Grain bunkers can store as much as 12,000 tonnes of grain whilst maximum load for silos as an example is only 6,000 tonnes.

Grain bunkers are also cost effective to construct given the material and quick installation process.

Grain bunkers also have the option to be self-supporting (L shape) for small series or alternatively, supported with posts or columns for larger applications.  

Concrete bunkers will preserve grain quality when constructed correctly. They enable you to sell your own grain, rather than out of a receival point bunker. The Mid West Concrete team can work out the ideal size and layout that suits your needs, however maximum size is 3m high, 150mm thick and 6m long.

It all depends on each farmer or handler grain storage requirement. For example, if you just need a temporary storage solution that is affordable and effective in preserving the quality of grain, then, the best storage is the grain bunker.

In terms of applications, precast concrete bunker walls can also be used to support the storage of other bulk materials such as quarry materials, silage, feed mixes, fertilizer, lime etc.

Advantages:

  • Faster unloading rates

  • Stops product loss through spreading

  • Can be easily covered to protect from weather and pests

  • Flexibility in terms of application

  • Cost effective

  • Large storage capacity

  • Durable

  • Effective in preserving quality of grain for short-mid term periods

Disadvantages:

  • Requires careful site preparation

  • Requires care in filling and packing

  • More of a temporary storage solution

  • Not air-tight so managing moisture and temperature can be difficult

Grain Silos

 

Whilst the adoption of bunker wall storage and horizontal silos has increased over the years, traditional silos are still used as an ideal long-term, on-farm storage solution.  

Available in a number of configurations including flat bottom and cone, silos are designed to provide long-term on-farm storage of grains in addition to other products like coal, cement, food and sawdust.

Constructed from either cement or steel, grain silos can withstand any amount of pressure while grain is being filled inside the container and can be installed even on a limited area which is economical if you want to save on ground space.

Advantages:

  • Ideal for long-term on farm storage

  • Service life of approximately 25 years

  • Can be sealed or unsealed. Sealed options create an environment free from pests while retaining the desired temperature setting.

  • Lower Storage Losses

Disadvantages:

  • Expensive

  • Slow to load and unload grain

  • Requires rigid equipment to load and unload grain

Bag Silos

Bag silos are heavy plastic tubes, usually around 8 to 12 ft (2.4 to 3.6 m) in diameter, and of variable length as required for the amount of material to be stored. They are packed using a machine made for the purpose, and sealed on both ends.

Bag silos provide an economical, flexible and safe method to store grain especially during times of record harvests and low grain prices.

When sealed correctly, silo bags are water-tight and consist of three layers of polyethylene, with a white outer layer to reflect solar radiation and a black inner layer to block sunlight. A typical silo bag is about 60 meters long, 3 meters in diameter, and can store as much as 200 tonnes of grain.

The ground upon which a silo bag needs to be placed should be level and should not accumulate standing water during rains. It also must be free of any objects that could puncture the plastic

Advantages:

  • Equipment to load and unload grain is relatively inexpensive

  • Lower capital investment

  • Flexible storage system

  • Feed is easily inventoried

  • Can be used for small and large herds

  • Fewer safety and health hazards

  • Lower Storage Losses

Disadvantages:

  • Cannot store damp grain

  • Specialized equipment may be needed

  • Plastic disposal creates extra labour and environmental concerns

  • Bags must remain intact, compromised bag can result in a complete loss

When considering the best storage solution for your upcoming harvest, there are some key factors including investment required, location, storage time requirements, access, record harvest or low grain prices.

If you are looking for a cost effective, flexible and shorter-term storage solution, grain bunkers may be the option for you. Constructed using 40MPa precast concrete walls that can be configured to suit your space, Mid West Concrete can support you in choosing the best design for your needs.

Contact our friendly team today!

Rob Lowe
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