Capability to combine drying, cooling and storage of post-harvest crops drives increased demand for drying silos

Rather than extend their existing grain stores, two Lincolnshire famers, David Casswell and Boo Parkes, invested in Sukup grain drying silos, supplied by McArthur Agriculture, in time for harvest 2022.

The Sukup silos cost-e ectively combine the capability to dry, cool and store combinable crops with minimal labour and eliminate costly re-handling.

“Needing more grain storage, I originally looked at extending my existing grain store but looking at the gures it worked out as an expensive option,” explained David Casswell, who has a family farm of nearly 2,000 acres growing wheat, barley, OSR, sugar beet, vining peas, onions and spring beans, at South Kyme in the east Lincolnshire Fens.

Mr Casswell then looked at ordinary silos but saw that a 4207 Sukup drying silo would deliver more exibility, providing the ability to not only store grain but to also condition grain for long-term storage, and in wet weather be used as a batch drier.

“Both McArthur Agriculture and Sukup did an outstanding job,” he continued. “Importantly, support has been readily available as required during our rst harvest with the new system. We now have approximately another 700t of additional storage and currently have 500t of spring barley in the Sukup, where it will stay until it is sold.”

Boo Parkes, who farms 520 acres of spring barley, winter barley, spring beans, wheat and OSR, at Weelsby Estates, Grimsby, north east Lincolnshire, was an existing McArthur Agriculture customer but needed additional storage and drying capabilities.

“I rst looked at installing a drier and grain handling kit in one existing shed and then upgrading the under oor drying system in another shed. On looking at the costings, they were very similar to purchasing two Sukup drying silos which would provide the extra storage I needed,” said Mr Parkes. “It was important that my grain storage and drying system was easy to operate as I have limited manpower – just me!”

Two 3607 Sukup drying silos, providing an additional 1,000t of storage, were supplied by McArthur Agriculture. The silos are fed by a Skandia trench intake, rather than an auger which would have meant tying up a tractor and, moving an auger from one silo to the other is a two-man job.

“My two Sukup silos are overall very coste ective. They have greatly reduced wear and tear of machinery previously used to handle grain, particularly my telehandler, plus help to maximise my time,” continued Mr Parkes.

“The Sukup drying silos are a great t for me and delivered the extra storage and drying capacity I needed and they easily meet the additional demands of a larger combine. In a word, they are brilliant!”

For expert advice, speak to the McArthur Agriculture team. FG