AGRIBUSINESS

New research on harvest grain losses

RESEARCH is being undertaken in Western Australia to measure the magnitude of grain and profit loss during harvest.

Staff writer
 Drop tray testing in Lupins

Drop tray testing in Lupins

A Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investment, led by Grower Group Alliance (GGA), will quantify the losses in each of the major grain crops in the western region.

GRDC Grower Relations manager - West, Rach Asquith, said the results from the research would help to inform growers of harvest grain loss reduction practices in future years.

"This investment will create a benchmark for grain losses at harvest, rather than growers relying on anecdotal evidence which in many cases probably underestimates the amount of grain left on the ground and the associated lost income," Asquith said.

"We want growers to be able to strike the optimum balance between acceptable grain loss and harvest efficiency," she said.

"The data collected through this investment will determine the different thresholds for each grain crop so growers can aim for that sweet spot of reduced grain losses without detrimental impact on harvest speed or logistics.

"The methodology being employed in this project will capture every variable that can impact on harvest losses from the front and the back of the harvester.

"The work would build on insights from a previous investment led by Planfarm consultant Peter Newman which specifically measured losses in canola crops.

"Until now, there has been no quantification of losses in other crops so this new investment with establish indicative baseline harvest loss parameters for wheat, barley, lupins, canola, oats, lentils, field peas, faba beans and chickpeas.

"With some crops currently commanding high prices, even a one per cent loss of grain at harvest could amount to a large overall financial loss," Asquith said.

According to the GRDC, the project will involve sampling and measurement of harvest losses at 75 sites across all WA port zones.

GGA program manager, Mark Holland, is coordinating the 12-month project and said the project had attracted a positive response from growers and the broader industry.

"Growers are keen to see this work being undertaken so they have a better understanding of the true extent of what they are losing during harvest," Holland said.

"The information generated out of this project will be fed back to the GRDC for assessment of the need for further investment in this area and in the development of related future projects," he said.

"Program outcomes are likely to have some relevance and application to other cropping regions across Australia," Holland said.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Farming Ahead team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Farming Ahead team.

editions

Research Report: Harvest Weed Seed Mills

The Report includes a round up of commercially-available batching plants as well as farmer-made approaches.

editions

Research Report: Agritechnica 2023

Kondinin Group’s Mark Saunders, Ben White and Josh Giumelli went to Agritechnica, Germany. This report covers the key award winners from the event and some of the latest autonomous platforms displayed.

editions

Research Report: Fronting Up

This Research Report looks at harvester fronts including research and expertise from Kondinin Group’s Ben White, with input from harvesting specialists Brett Asphar, Kassie Van Der Westhuizen, Murray Skayman and Martin Reichelt.

editions

Research Report: Liquid Applications At Seeding

Kondinin Group’s Mark Saunders, Josh Giumelli and Ben White have rounded up liquid application Case Studies for this Research Report including tips and tricks from experiencd producers.