Agricultural company Viterra is introducing dynamic binning for barley across its network in preparation for the 2019/20 harvest.
The company has previously used implemented a similar system for its wheat operations and has moved to expand it to its barley operations, as part of its focus on improving its supply chain.
It plans to pass on the efficiency gains and costs savings from the upgrades directly to its grower customers.
An upgrade will be provided if the load falls within specified tolerance zones, meets all other quality requirements and the higher-grade segregation is available at the delivery site.
Viterra Operations Manager, Michael Hill, said growers will have the opportunity to have their barley upgraded for malting barley varieties.
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“We are pleased to introduce barley dynamic binning following the success of wheat dynamic binning last harvest and feedback from growers asking for a similar option for barley,” Hill said.
“Our wheat dynamic binning provided significant value back to growers, approximately $6 million in the 2018/19 harvest, and we will again provide it this harvest for ASW1, APW1, H2 and H1 grades.
“Dynamic binning also had the added benefit for growers of creating efficiencies in the classification process and improving turnaround times at harvest due to less retests being requested.”
Hill said the upgrade will give growers more flexibility to potentially access a higher grade for loads that are just outside of receival standards for protein, screenings and test weight in both wheat and barley, and also retention for barley.
“In addition to dynamic binning, we also provide a one per cent tolerance for moisture above Grain Trade Australia receival standards on all wheat and barley deliveries, which has been in place for a number of years,” Hill said.
Viterra upgraded its IT grain management system in 2018, enabling it to monitor the quality of grain in real time to ensure it meets standards.
“We provide the upgrade instantly at classification and the grain is available immediately for growers to transact,” Hill said.
“If the rolling stack average for a grade falls below the GTA receival standards then dynamic binning will not be available until the average again meets grade receival standards. This is to ensure that grain is not compromised at outturn.”