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May 15, 2018

16/05/2018: On Combine NIR analysers provide high ROI

By Phil Clancy, Next Instruments, Australia

Farmers have often said that if they purchased everything that was going to save them money, they would go bust. The avalanche of new technology that is now promoted to farmers is extremely confusing. Where and how should farmers proceed with new technology often causes decision paralysis.
 


This paper presents several case studies from Australian and Canadian farmers who have installed a CropScan 3000H On Combine NIR Analyser on their combines. As well, at a recent SPAA (Society for Precision Agriculture Australia) meeting in West Wyalong, NSW, Australia, a young farmer gave an excellent talk about his experience with the 3000H system that he installed in 2016. His insights are also presented below.

Description
Near Infrared (NIR) analysers are used by the grains and oil seed industry to measure protein, moisture and oil in whole and ground seeds. The price for grains is commonly based on the quality or grade of the seeds which is determined by a range of parameters including protein and oil content. The higher the protein and oil content the more valuable is the grain in most world markets. Other parameters include Test Weight, Screening, Falling Number, Sedimentation, Hardness and whether there are any defects, stains or foreign matter in the load. However, NIR only measures protein, oil, moisture and starch in cereals and oil seeds.

On farm grain measurements have been common place in Australia for 20 years. Portable and benchtop NIR analysers are available for farmers so that they can take measurements in the field or as they aggregate their grain into their on-farm silos. Some farmers in the USA and Canada have also taken up NIR anlaysers for use on farm, especially in regions where protein premiums are available. In the last ten years, On Combine NIR analysers have been developed and trialled. The CropScan 3000H was launched in 2013.

The original benefits identified by customers were the ability to blend grain from the field in order to capture higher protein premiums for wheat and to ensure that barley fitted into the malt grade, i.e., 9.5 to 11.5 percent protein. Likewise oil seeds such as canola attract a premium with oil content above 42 percent in Australia.


Read the full article, HERE.

Visit the Next Instruments website, HERE.
 

The Global Miller
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which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.


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