P.X. Farms currently has a substantial storage capacity and is designed to manage over 1,000 tonnes a day during the harvest period and 60 tonnes an hour drying. We also have a weighbridge and sampling facilities.
In 2009, P.X. Farms completed the fantastic new addition to our grain storage – the Aberdeen Store located on Scotland Farm. It is equipped with a Kentra dryer at the front, which can process 60 tonnes of wet grain per hour. We have incorporated a high-tech computer system which monitors, cools and aerates the grain automatically and consistently maintains the temperature <5ºC. We are also currently building Berwick Store, which will be of the same capacity as Aberdeen Store.
This grain store process includes:
The weighbridge
- A grain lorry pulls onto our new Griffith-Elder Weighbridge, where the automatic CS90 Spear is waiting to take five samples
- The passport is checked to make sure there is a valid accreditation sticker in the top right-hand corner and that the mycotoxin and GM Statements are clearly defined. The haulage details, signatures and dates all have to be legible so that there is a comprehensive audit trail
- The operator uses a ‘wizard’ to complete the weighbridge ticket
- Full details of Customer, Haulier, Contract No., Registration No., Store, Description of Goods, Delivery or Collection, Weigh Person and Driver are all clearly defined
- The wizard gives prompts to make sure the information being put on the ticket is right
- The weighbridge is integrated with our computer system so that the weight is immediately visible (top right hand corner) and can be added to the Weighbridge ticket, by pressing a button. This minimises the risk of human error and means weights cannot be tampered with.
Sampling
- We then sample every delivery and collection using the CS90 Samplex System. This automatically takes five samples from every trailer
- Using a high power suction system, the grain is sent to the reception chamber in the Weighbridge Office
- The sample is then analysed by a Dickey-John GAC 2100 for moisture content, density (or bushel weight) and temperature. This machine is calibrated daily and ring tested by Openfield Laboratories
- The analysis is linked to the Ton-Tel Weighbridge Management System and can be added to the Weighbridge ticket by the press of a button. Again minimising human intervention or error
- As the grain is tipped into the pit, the grain store manager can either deposit dry grain into Aberdeen Store, or dry wet grain by passing it through our Kentra drying facility
- Whilst this is happening, the sample (with its unique number) is bagged, labelled and stored in batches of 10. Samples for Salmonella testing are also collected for later analysis.
Unloading
- We have a 48 tonne bulk out bin to unload the store quickly and easily.
Sample and paperwork storage
- Once all the paperwork is finalised, the samples, passports and copies of the signed weighbridge tickets are stored in a bespoke facility with deliveries on one side and collections on the other. They will remain available until 1st July of the following year.
Drying
- For monitoring temperatures, Aberdeen store has three zones each containing over 20 probes
- The probes monitor the temperatures every 15 minutes
- Information from the probes is linked to the Robydome computer which analyses the data, recognises when the ambient ˚C and RH% are at the right levels, then automatically aerates the grain by switching the fans on
- The ˚C and RH% information is used to manually switch on the aeration systems in the other stores. Manual temperature checks are carried out weekly between Harvest and Christmas, then every 10 days until the store is emptied.
With our new grainstore, we also built a dedicated grainstore office and laboratory allowing us to provide a more complete solution for our clients. When the grain arrives at P.X. Farms, the load is weighed and a sample is taken for analysis from each load. It is then tested for moisture and bushel weight. Once analysed, the laboratory determine whether the grain needs to be dryed or can be stored directly.
The Public Weighbridge is open from 7.30am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday, if you wish to use the weighbridge outside of these hours please contact the Weighbridge office to make an appointment.
P.X. Farms is committed to safe and responsible practices and therefore operates a set of site rules, which we ask everyone to make themselves aware of and adhere to. A copy of the site rules can be viewed by clicking here.
"Representative sampling and accurate analysis ensures that you know the quality of your harvested grain and that you sell it to the most appropriate buyers."
source: www.hgca.com
