Storing on-farm increases your harvest efficiency

Trent Carter of Walloloo Park in Marnoo, Victoria, has significantly enhanced his grain harvesting efficiency by integrating Akron machinery into his operations. Transitioning to on-farm grain storage using Akron's grain baggers, outloaders, and chaser bins has allowed him to optimise harvest logistics and reduce reliance on external transportation.

Challenges with Traditional Grain Handling

In the past, Carter faced challenges common to many grain producers, including dependence on truck availability and the risk of weather-related grain quality degradation. With the evolution of harvesting equipment, such as high-capacity headers processing up to 80-90 tonnes per hour verses older models at 25-30 tonne per hour, the bottleneck often shifted to grain transportation and storage.

Advantages of Akron's On-Farm Storage Solutions

Implementing Akron's on-farm storage solutions has provided several key benefits:

Advantages of Akron's On-Farm Storage Solutions

1. Cost Savings

• Taking grain off-farm to bulk storage costs a minimum of $20 per tonne, and can be as high as $35 per tonne.
• Additional in-out charges in the bulk handling system can reach $20 per tonne, bringing the total cost of external storage to $40–$55 per tonne.
• In contrast, the cost of a silo bag is only around $4.00 per tonne, making on-farm storage a far more economical option.
• On-farm storage provides greater segregation control, allowing farmers to avoid penalties from stack averages in bulk storage. This means they can test, sell, and even blend grain to meet optimal market specifications and maximise their average price.
• Additionally, buyers often pay a carry premium for grain stored on-farm, further improving profitability.

2. Greater Harvest Efficiency & Reduced Stress

• With Akron’s grain storage system, Carter no longer relies on trucks returning from bulk handlers before continuing the harvest. Grain goes directly from the header into storage, eliminating costly downtime.
• Fewer trucks on-farm mean fewer workers are required, leading to lower labour costs and reduced stress during harvest.

The Bottom Line

Providing the ability to harvest as much of the crop as quickly as possible when it is ready, minimising quality downgrades due to weather. This is the biggest ‘hidden’ cost to a farmer—the delayed harvest. Reducing the weather risk window is critical.

By adopting Akron's full suite of grain storage machinery, Carter has streamlined his harvest, reduced costs, and improved control over his grain sales. The ability to store grain efficiently on-farm provides flexibility, financial advantages, and operational efficiency—giving him a clear edge over traditional bulk storage systems.

Akron Machinery in Use

Carter's operation utilises a comprehensive suite of Akron machinery, including:

• ‍Extractors: Models like the EXG380X and EXG480X are designed for efficient grain extraction from storage bags, featuring patented hydraulic pusher plates for a clean finish. ‍
• Chaser Bins: Akron's chaser bins are engineered to support high-capacity harvesting operations, ensuring seamless grain transfer from the field to storage.

Conclusion

By adopting Akron's on-farm grain storage solutions, Trent Carter has achieved greater control over his harvesting process, reduced operational costs, and enhanced his ability to capitalise on market opportunities. This case exemplifies how Akron machinery can transform grain handling practices, offering significant advantages to modern agricultural operations.