Integrated approach to on-farm storage

The new "digs" came with 4500 tonnes of Westeel silo storage, comprising eight silos ranging from 300 to 1000 tonnes - six were aerated.

Added to that were 10 seed silos.

It didn't take Doug long to establish contacts with private buyers and consolidate an on-farm storage business, apart from his own cropping program.

"The storage has given us a lot more options when you're faced with low prices at harvest," he said.

"While I still support the local CBH bin, I also manage grain for livestock producers and Bunge.

"I can sell the grain and keep it stored until the buyers want it and with the aerated silos, I can store grain for up to 12 months with minimal quality drop-off.

"The aeration works well and I only have to spray around the silos to keep weevils out.

"I also do pre-fumigation when the silos are cleaned out."

This year is a classic argument for on-farm storage as Doug starts up the header in an environment of lower grain prices.

"It has been a bit of a learning curve but knowing we can keep the grain and sell into a higher priced market later on is a bonus, particularly when you've got no handling fees and transport costs," he said.

"We also store for clients and they collect whatever they need every month."

Doug is moving towards a more integrated storage system with the help and advice from local specialists Burando Hill, where has bought Farm King augers, chaser and field bins and the chemical handler.

According to company salesman Michael Kowald, there is an exponential growth in on-farm storage in WA, particularly employing the Westeel aerated silos.

"They are the nucleus of our storage system which also embraces electric or hydraulically-controlled temperature settings and computer control," he said.

"There has been a focused approach by the company to specialise in storage systems which include augers, weigh bridges, drive-over delivery systems, chaser bins and field bins.

"We can custom-design a system to suit and we can retro-fit aeration and computer controls.

"There's growing interest by farmers in having increased flexibility to make the most out of their harvest which is why we have a specialised division to design-in cost efficiencies and convenience."

According to Burando Hill general manager Peter Coldwell, the big factor for the market is knowing that on-farm storage practically mimics the strict quality control you get in CBH receival bins.

"Farmers know that to achieve premium prices they cannot just store grain in open concrete bunkers with a tarp over the top," he said.

"The aeration silos are specifically designed to ensure stored grain is maintained at desired temperature and moisture levels.

"Typically we're seeing more farmers buying grain silos with capacities between 75 and 120 tonnes and essentially using them to blend grain.

"I know of some guys with 20 to 30 such silos on their properties giving them the ability to improve their quality before delivering off-farm to buyers and eliminating dockage costs."