Grainswest - Tech 2022

Tech 2022 Grains West 10 THE FARMGATE BY EVAN LINTICK • PHOTO COURTESY OF ALBERTA WHEAT COMMISSION OVER THE LAST DECADE, GRAIN drying has become more common on farms across the Prairies, but especially so in Alberta. It has been particularly necessary to maintain optimal quality in wet years such as 2018. That year, farm- ers spent an estimated $35 to $45 million on grain drying. However, little data has been compiled on efficiency in grain drying practices, until now. As on-farm expenses have recently made sharp increases, it is helpful for farmers to have more information on the grain drying costs to determine how they can be more efficient. This was the goal of the three-year grain drying study launched in 2019 by Team Alberta Crops, comprised of Alberta Barley, Alberta Canola, Alberta Pulse Growers and the Alberta Wheat Commission. Team Al- berta contracted the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) to provide technical assistance on the project, while 14 farmers across Alberta voluntarily provided data about their grain dry- ing operations that included 36 in-bin systems and five continuous grain dryers in 14 locations. Energy and engineering management company 3D Energy carried out data collection and analysis. The grain conditioning study was released in April 2022. The study assessed the efficiency of various types of grain dryers and calculated how the federal carbon tax im- pacted the cost of grain conditioning. Its overall intent was to inform government policy and programs as well as equip farmers with economic information that can be utilized in their operations. As part of the study, select in-bin supplemental drying systems and heated air-drying systems were monitored during the harvests of 2019 to 2021 to assess their typical energy consumption. In addition, the project team sought to determine if grain quality is adversely affected by the speed at which it is dried, or the method used. “The study has yielded exceptional insight into the energy consumption and effectiveness of on-farm conditioning and drying technologies,” said Angela Brackenreed, Canola Council of Can- ada agronomy specialist. It has also solidified long held rules of thumb for conditioning grain, she added. Given the high costs associated with grain drying, any efficiencies can produce substantial benefits. Hot takes Grain drying study finds efficiencies, assesses carbon tax implications The three-year grain drying study conducted by Team Alberta Crops assessed the efficiency of various technologies as well as the implications of federal carbon taxation.