Tips for a pest-free harvest

With grain harvest just around the corner, plant biosecurity experts are asking farmers to perform hygiene maintenance on their equipment before commencing the season to maximise yield and financial return.

Grains biosecurity officer Jim Moran says growers should focus on not only cleaning out harvesting machines but also their storage facilities.

"Simple hygiene measures are the best way to protect your freshly harvested grain and your financial return," he says.

"Make sure harvesting and handling equipment are all clean and free from the remnants of the last harvest. It can be difficult to get all grain residues out of augers, field bins and headers if they have been sitting for a while, but it’s an important thing to do because the old grain may have a build-up of pests."

Moran adds contractors should also follow proper hygiene protocols.

"If you haven’t used the contractor before, it’s a good idea to inspect their equipment before they enter the production areas of your farm," he says.

When it comes to storage, Moran says it is imperative to start with an insect-free environment before new grain is introduced.

"Avoid putting fresh grain on top of carry-over grain to prevent the new grain from being contaminated by insects," he says.

"If you need to, ask for advice from an expert about chemical treatments so you don’t run into problems with chemical registration, insect resistance or residues on grains."

Moran advises for growers to do the following to ensure a pest-free harvest:

Information and fact sheets on grain storage can be found on the Grains Research & Development Corporation's website