May 16, 2025 - Bushmead Farm has replaced its aging grain drying system with an electric Mecmar SSI 28T mobile drier to improve efficiency and automate operations. The equipment was supplied and supported by McArthur BDC.
The farm, managed by Sandy Wade-Gery and his son Will, operates approximately 400 hectares of arable land. The new system replaces a PTO-driven drier that was nearing the end of its operational life.
Wade-Gery said the Mecmar unit was chosen after reviewing different options and attending the Cereals event, where McArthur BDC presented the system’s features. A key factor in the decision was the ability to monitor and control the drier remotely via notifications sent by email or text.
The electric drier uses diesel for its burners and includes a dust extraction system. It allows grain to be loaded directly from the field and automates the entire drying and cooling cycle, including moisture checks and batch transitions.
Operators Dom Chandler and Will Wade-Gery noted improved working conditions with the new system, which is quieter and easier to maintain. Maintenance points are centrally located beside the control panel.
The farm plans to integrate the Mecmar unit into a dedicated grain store and add a colour sorter in the future.
Bushmead Farm has implemented several modern practices, including RTK guidance, controlled traffic farming, variable seed and fertiliser application, and cover cropping.
Wade-Gery credited McArthur BDC’s technical support as a factor in the successful transition.
The Global MillerThis blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
