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Like many UK businesses, farming is having a bumpy ride. Rising inflation saw input prices increase by 33.1% in the year to June –...

Two silos and a van at a farm

Growers should take steps now update ageing grain drying systems, says John McArthur.

Like many UK businesses, farming is having a bumpy ride. Rising inflation saw input prices increase by 33.1% in the year to June – largely driven by the spiralling cost of feed, fertiliser and fuel, according to the latest Defra figures.

One month later, farm business consultants Andersons calculated a 23.5% increase in ag-inflation for the year to July – outweighing the consumer price index which stood at 10.1% during the same month.

The prolonged dry spell this harvest provided some respite from the economic doom and gloom for arable growers. But the drought continued to curtail the potential of many crops, including potatoes and sugar beet.

Many cereal growers were able to finish harvest in record time with reasonable yields. But while lack of rain meant there was no need to dry grain, crops going into store required rapid cooling, limiting savings on fuel.

It is of course, impossible to predict the weather we can expect for harvest 2023. But a repeat of this year so soon is perhaps unlikely. And there is a good chance that grain driers will once again be called into action.

Now is a good time to consider updating ageing grain drying systems – or taking steps to increase grain drying capacity to help ensure harvest 2023 goes as smoothly and profitably as possible.

A grain drier will cost more to run over its service life than the initial capital investment so with the current economic landscape, it has seldom been so important to think very carefully about which drier will meet your individual requirements. 

A drier that optimises energy usage will help increase the return on investment.

Budget

It would also be prudent to take some time to discuss what you think you need – and your budget – with a grain equipment specialist, who is willing to share their expertise with you. This advice will help you to carefully and knowledgably consider the grain drier options available.

If you have existing grain drying storage but need to increase your drying capacity, then you should consider a mobile grain dryer.  

Mecmar mobile dryers are simple and easy to use and offer unique energy saving and performance enhancing features. Their full-length stainless-steel furnace, plenum air distribution systems and high open space perforated screens are designed to deliver more airflow and greater drying capacity with less energy.

Development work to further reduce the Mecmar’s energy usage while maintaining grain drying performance is currently underway. The accurate collection of fuel and power data will deliver a comprehensive view of running costs.

This visibility will enable the optimisation of the Mecmar to deliver greater economy or more performance.

The Mecmar mobile grain dryer is a good solution should you need flexibility from your investment in a grain dryer. For example, if you are supplementing existing grain drying infrastructure, the Mecmar adds another string to the bow. Or as a tenant or contract farmer you may need grain drying capacity without investing in fixed equipment.

Good solution

Another option is the Sukup grain drying silo which has long been the drier of choice across northern Europe and Scandinavia and is now building up a following in the British market.

The Sukup silos combine the capability to dry, cool and store combinable crops, requiring little labour and eliminating the need for re-handling grain. 

This all-in-one solution works perfectly for farming enterprises with no existing drying and storage facilities or looking to add to existing capacity. Those looking for a drier with a high daily throughput should consider a Svegma Continuous Flow drier. 

Available from BDC Systems, part of McArthur Agriculture, Svegma driers have an industry leading reputation for outstanding quality and efficiency. Originally developed to withstand the harsh drying conditions in Scandinavia, Svegma driers are robust and reliable – manufactured from heavy gauge galvanised steel sheet they deliver long life and durability.

Track record

Suitable for all free-flowing crops the Svegma drier has the ability to handle 100 tonnes per hour, at the same time as delivering low energy consumption.  With a lateral fixing system that has no fastenings or ledges inside the grain column to hinder grain flow, the Svegma is able to handle wet grain.

“We chose a Svegma drier, not only because of its proven track record, but as we have to finish harvest as quickly as possible it is likely that we will need to combine grain with a high moisture content,” says Robert Huddlestone of Huddlestone Produce, East Yorkshire.

Harvest of his wheat, grown as a break crop, cannot hold up work around the main crop of swedes grown for wholesale markets.

To be sure that you select the right drier for you, don’t miss the opportunity to take advice from the experts in all things grain handling on 8, 9, 10 November 2022, when the McArthur Agriculture team will be hosting its annual Open Days at its Scunthorpe depot. 

The Open Days will also give you the chance see McArthur Agriculture’s extensive range of grain drying, processing and storage equipment.

John McArthur is managing director of grain experts McArthur Agriculture. For more details, visit

www.mcarthuragriculture.co.uk

Continuous flow grain drier