A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm.For technical information call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
August 6, 2021
OWN A GRAIN DRYER? HELP US OUT!
Wheat harvest is just beginning in Ontario, so it’s high time to make sure your grain storage and dryers are ready for this coming season! In our Ontario climate, grain dryers are an essential part of our production system, allowing us to grow longer-season crops and take advantage of yield benefits, while still being able to dry crops down for long-term storage.
Dryers represent a significant investment, both in capital costs and operating expenses.
A study from Iowa State revealed that drying is responsible for one-third of the total fuel energy needed to grow and produce a crop – including all field operations, and fertilizer production.
If you own a grain dryer, researchers at the University of Guelph want to hear from you. Help us better understand issues like grain dryer energy use, as well as other concerns like noise or dust impacts on neighbours, including what grain drying looks like on your farm, how you use your dryer, and your experiences and concerns.
Individual results are anonymous. A summary of the survey results will be shared on Field Crop News once the study is complete. And, if you complete the survey, you can choose to enter into a draw for one of several $25 Tim Horton’s gift cards.
To access the survey, visit https://www.uoguelph.ca/engineering/dryers
Written by James Dyck, Agriculture Engineer, Crop Systems and Environment, OMAFRA
