Pre-intake Management

Silo management must plan and prepare for grain reception to receive the projected quantities of good grains, clean, treat and store. Good planning ensures grain reception within the shortest possible time before grain gets infested and starts to deteriorate, quick turnaround of delivery trucks and eliminates the problem of long queues and queuing time at the receiving silos.

A grain intake point of operation consists of a site with sheds, grain bins, bunkers, bags, offices and storerooms, as well as a large variety of equipment that is involved with the handling of grain.

To receive and store grain effectively, it is necessary that the grain intake operational point is well prepared beforehand, and the necessary preparation has been done with the size of the harvest in mind. It is necessary that the following aspects are considered:

Estimation of grain intake (size and composition): It is necessary that the silo operator is involved with the crop estimation (different types and, where possible, also the grades) to be able to do the necessary planning in connection with the number of bins, position of bins (e.g. on both sides of the workhouse). Furthermore, should it seem to be needed and it is prescribed, prepare for enough packing poles, bags, sails for outside stacks.

Storage hygiene: The site, sheds, weigh bridges and equipment must be cleaned properly. Waste and weed must be removed. There should not be any possible breeding place for insects.

Pest control: Fumigate and/or spray all grain, buildings, empty bins, the site, equipment and tarpaulins with registered pesticides that are approved by the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, Act 36 of 1947, to eliminate all potential sources of contamination for new grain.

Equipment: Road- and rail weighbridges, inside scales, hand mass meters, grading mass meters, grading equipment, approved moisture testers, sieves, sprays and stacking machines must be tested and, if needed, repaired or replaced beforehand. The laboratory equipment for quality assessment of grain must be checked, serviced and calibrated. Properly functioning equipment will ensure that only grain of the required standard is accepted for storage. Equipment that is not calibrated can compromise quality standards. The weighbridge should be checked, serviced and calibrated by the manufacturer’s representative. Again, the weighbridge should be certified for trading by the responsible government agency.

Grain silo bins: Must be inspected for cracks and damaged valves before the intake of a harvest and, if needed, be repaired in order to prevent that grain is damaged by water during storage. Usually out loading in mass from the silo to the trucks is done underneath a lean-to.

Preparing staff: To a large extent the success of a grain storage operation depends on the calibre of staff. The right personnel for the various roles and tasks such as inspection and grading, weighing and clerical, maintenance, plant operation and security must be identified, adequately briefed and assigned specific roles to perform.

General cleaning: All areas surrounding the silo must be cleared, grasses and bushes cut and drains opened and cleaned.

Other: Other inputs such as stationery and documents, insecticides and pesticides, spare parts, fuel, oil and lubricants must be sourced and system for their replenishment establishment.