Grain Analysis
The laboratory is equipped with the latest analytical technology provided by the new Perten 9500 infrared grain analyser. This is able to measure moisture in cereals and oilseed rape as well as grain density, protein, nitrogen, oil and hardness.
Loads of grain are sampled on the certified weighbridge using the Samplex grain spear which uses a vacuum to draw a representative sample into the laboratory. After a visual check the sample is analysed and the result automatically recorded against the weighbridge reading. We put the sample through our ‘’Insectomat’’ mechanical sieve which sifts out dust, dirt and most importantly, any bugs.
The laboratory is equipped to test for Don and Zon mycotoxins as well as germination and hagberg. We can show admixture results and retention on a 2.0; 2.25 or 2.5mm sieve
Grain Treatments
Drying
The Svegma continuous flow, oil fired dryer is rated at 50 tonnes per hour removing 4% moisture for cereals. It is suitable for cereals, oilseed rape and pulses. The reception pit can intake grain at 100 tonnes per hour and a bulk tip lorry takes 10 minutes to tip. Grain is stored pre and post dying in self emptying metal grain bins.
Cleaning
All grain for drying is aspirated through an Aagaard pre cleaner to remove chaff and dust from the grain to improve drying efficiency. We can also clean cereals, oilseed rape and pulses through a Zanin rotary drum cleaner. This cleaner is able to remove difficult admixture from rape and pulses. It can be used to remove straw and chaff from cereals and we have taken grass ergot out of oats but we cannot guarantee success in the removal of ergot.
SCreening
The drum cleaner is able to remove small grains from cereals to improve the “retention over a sieve” for milling or malting grains including oats. This can be a useful way to obtain premiums for border line grain in low grain density years. We were successful in improving wheat with hectolitre weights of sub 60 kilos in 2012 to 65 kgs or 67kgs without excessive “seconds” losses.
We can keep and credit seconds or they can be returned to the customer if preferred but they must be collected within two days of the screening process if this option is used.
Fumigation
We use K-Obiol EC25 from Bayer for fumigation purposes. It is a pyrethroid insecticide. We apply the insecticide to the grain on intake and then leave the grain to rest in a bin. After the insects have been killed they are removed from the grain in the rotary drum cleaner. This part of the process is important because many end users will reject grain even if it is found to contain dead insects. There is an all in charge for fumigation which includes cleaning and handling.