Grain storage specialists are encouraging growers who are planning to store grain on-farm this season to consider using protectants to reduce the risk of insect infestations.
The use of protectants combined with good hygiene, aeration cooling and regular grain inspections are key tools for protecting grain quality.
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grain Storage Extension Project manager, Chris Warrick, is encouraging growers to consider protectants post-harvest on cereal grains, where appropriate.
Mr Warrick says grain protectants are designed to prevent pest infestations, not to control infestations, so ideally they should be applied at harvest time as grain is augered into storages.
Mr Warrick advises growers to develop a clear marketing strategy before treating grain with protectants, so they avoid using these chemicals if it was likely to cut themselves out of potentially profitable domestic or export markets, such as pesticide residue-free (PRF) markets.
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