Chris Warrick tells durum forum prevention better than cure for crop pests

Horsham-based consultant Chris Warrick believed simple learnings came from the past few harvests.

"My phone rang hot last harvest about the potential wet conditions causing pest problems. Many growers were unsure about to do," he said.

Mr Warrick said air storage was a great tool for growers to get their heads around.

There are two types of air storage - cooling and drying.

"Cooling is a way to prevent insects, mould and maintain germination and seed colour - particularly in pulses," Mr Warrick said.

"The difference between cooling and drying is the amount of air. In cooling, it is two to three litres of air per second per tonne, while aeration drying is 15 litres of air. So these are very different systems.

"Drying grain is expensive, especially since it could only be for a few years."

With this in mind, Mr Warrick believed some growers had taken to blending grain into the silo.

"They have a silo with aeration cooling, which means they hold over grain with moisture and blend it with dry grain," he said.

"That has been successful and many growers are trying to do that."

To install aeration cooling, Mr Warrick said growers can retrofit it to existing silos.

"Just do not leave it just before harvest. As long as growers are organised, it is relatively simple."

There are other options for insect control to help increase aeration cooling benefits.

"Remember, once insects are in grain, there are no spray on products anymore, just preventative," Mr Warrick said.

"Silos also need to be gas tight. Put in an investment plan to get this on-farm to ensure the best results."

To manage grain moisture, temperature and quality, a couple of simple tools are helpful.

Mr Warrick recommended a non-chemical powder product to help begin grain storage on the right foot.

"A good structural treatment after growers have cleaned out the silos, chaser bins, and auger, will kill any insects prior to harvest," he said.

"Preventative spray is a good option for unsealed storage but it is too late if you see insects before."

Basic grain monitoring is also recommended, including a cost-affective temperature probe to check grain temperature.

"If grain goes into a silo at a high temperature, it is a perfect breeding ground for insects, in comparison to a 20 degree day, which does not attract insects at all," Mr Warrick said.

"Taking the temperature, as well as regular sieve samples, will give a great indication of insects."

A FUMIGATABLE silo is paramount for pest removal and growers are urged to ensure when investing in new storage, make sure it is gas tight, or leave it on the shelf.

Consultant Chris Warrick said a silo needed to be able to keep phosphene in it for long enough to kill the entire cycle of insects.

"Often, insects are breeding so quickly that when a treatment is applied, it only kills the adults and not the larvae.

"If a silo is not sealed, it will not be effective."

Growers are advised to invest in a silo which is pressure tested to the Australian standard, 26 to 28, to meet the needs for effective fumigation.

"Many manufacturers will say it is but when you ask for a pressure test, often they will find excuses about not being able to help you out," Mr Warrick said.

"Investing in silos is important and it needs to be gas tight for 30 years."

Mr Warrick said a main difference between manufacturers which have been building silos for 30 years and those new to the market, is gas tight effectiveness.

"For example, a long-term manufacturer of a flat bottom silo made a small but significant change to its silo design.

"They reduced the size of the holes which bolted it together, by half a millimetre. During expansion and contraction, it changed 20mm from when it was full to when it was empty.

"They are making changes and improvements all of the time."

RELATED: