Smart growers have realised that the way to max-imise profits is to store their grain on farm and sell when market conditions are favourable. Grainmas-

ter bunkers and sheds can assist by offering the grower a choice of storage solutions that are secure and cost effective.

Grainmaster Bulk storage solutions is an Australian owned company operating out of Pallamallawa, NSW. The bunker system has been developed by David O’Neile and Brennan Fitzallen who each have over 25 years’ ex-perience in the design, fabrication and erection of agri-cultural sheds.

Several years ago, both men realised the need to de-velop a product that would allow for the on-farm stor-age of grain that meets the needs of growers – that is, reliable, cost effective and easy to operate. After several years of development and research, the bunker system was perfected and now Grainmaster bunkers are found in almost every state of Australia and have been em-ployed in feedlots, on farms, used for the commercial storage of grain and even for the storage of hazardous materials from the mining industry.

Grainmaster bunkers are made from all steel and uti-lise a patented bend in the frames to eliminate welds and this adds to the strength, cheap cost and durability of the system. Erection and disassembly require only hand tools and the bunker can be erected by farm labour or by a team from Grainmaster. Being totally portable, the bun-kers are 100 per cent tax deductible and can be moved from site to site with little cost and effort.

With a Grainmaster bunker, growers can sleep easy knowing that their valuable grain is fully protected from moisture, storm/weather and pest threats. The exclusive lockdown system allows the bunker to be sealed and ready for gas treatment.

Other advantages of the system include:Quick in and out loading times, the grain is able to be secured in record time and thus protected from weather threats during the volatile grain harvest sea-son. Additionally, due to the ease of erection, growers can quickly ‘add onto’ their bunker to allow for addi-tional storage if yields are better than forecast.Unlike dirt wall bunkers, Grainmaster has a proven air tight seal to allow for fumigation and to secure tarps. No

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34 — Australian Grain July–August, 2009

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On-farm bunkers expand profits

AgridrydryThe Leaders in Grain Drying Technology

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For comprehensive grain storage and handling systems including

design, supply & installationEquipment also available includes:

s MFS commercial silos from 250 through to 15,000 tonness On-farm agricultural range of storage siloss York bucket elevators and conveyorss Hutchinson portable tubulator type belt conveyorss Hutchinson portable farm augers & swing away augers from 8” to 13”s Hutchinson grain pump systems

For more information call John White — Ph: 02 6382 7474 Fax: 02 6382 5149www.alliedgrainsystems.com.au Email: john@alliedgrainsystems.com.au

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more worries about collapsing walls due to heavy rain and no need to employ expensive earth moving ma-chines and labour to rebuild after a storm and no more pulling wet and filthy tarps back over the grain stack.Unlike concrete wall bunkers, Grainmaster walls are totally portable and able to be constructed on any soil type with minimal earthworks required. The Grain-master system is the most secure way to ensure your investment in tarps is protected – the bunkers will not lose a tarp.Unlike grain bags, splits, tears and spillage are a thing of the past. Your storage site will be hygienic and pests and weather threats reduced accordingly. Bunkers utilise equipment and machines most farms already have with no need to purchase expensive grain vacs and other specialist machines.Unlike a silo, Grainmaster bunkers can hold more, cost less per tonne and last just as long and don’t re-quire an expensive concrete pad or piers to secure it in place.

Contact�David�or�Brennan�at�Grainmaster�on�02�6754�9393.� n

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July–August, 2009 Australian Grain — 35

featureharvesting & marketing

CropsCan 1000 Whole Grain Analysers

The Australian Alternative...Developed and Manufactured in Australia for Australian Conditions

Cropscan lorenon Farm Analyser• Transportable• 12VDC operation• Protein and Moisture in Wheat and Barley• Oil and Moisture in Canola• Simple flow thru operation

Cropscan 1000B Whole Grain Analyser• NMI Certified• Protein and Moisture in Wheat and Barley• Oil and Moisture in Canola• Test Weight Module• USB Memory

NIr Technology systemsTel: 02 9708 5068 Fax: 02 9708 5537

email: nirtech@nirtech.net www.nirtech.net

For an information pack, please contact rees hughes

One�of�the�useful�benefits�of�the�system�is�the�quick�in�and�out�loading�of�grain�which�is�especially�valued�in�the�volatile�grain�harvest�season�when�the�weather�can�be�very�unpredictable.

Cashflow is the main challenge

Managing cashflow is the biggest challenge fac-ing agribusinesses in the current economic cli-mate, according to a survey conducted by the

National Australia Bank (NAB).Cashflow was chosen as a ‘challenge’ by 56 per cent

of agribusiness respondents, and the ‘biggest challenge’ by 37 per cent of agribusinesses. It was also considered a significant challenge for other small businesses involved in the survey (51 per cent overall).

Agribusiness respond-ents also listed drought and climate change as challenges to be faced in 2009.

NAB’s General Man-ager of Agribusiness, Khan Horne, says the availability of cash is critical for busi-ness success.

“If conditions are tough, you need to tighten the belt to squeeze cash out of your business while still remaining profitable.

“If you have cashflow, there may be attractive

…36s

NAB’s�General�Manager�of�Agribusiness,�Khan�Horne.

Flexibility of on-farm grain

storage

W ith the grain marketing landscape becom-ing more and more challenging, successful harvest management can add significantly to

farm income. One way to improve harvest management is the flexibility provided by on-farm storage. With indi-vidual silo capacities ranging from 350 to 1720 tonnes, Cyclone’s experienced installers can design a grain stor-age system for any sized farm.

Manufactured in Australia from quality galvanised steel, Cyclone silos are built tough for Australian condi-tions. The wide corrugation profile of silo walls and lack of internal obstructions can reduce the risk of ‘hang-ups’, which can harbour insects and fungi, and lead to grain spoilage.

The advanced design, and heavier gauge steel sheets at the base, enhances the strength and stability of Cy-clone silos, and the optimised roof slope maximises the amount of poured grain that can be stored. Cyclone silo dealers can incorporate unloaders and aeration equip-ment to meet your particular needs.

Bill Onslow of MO Industries Pty Ltd in Tamworth rec-ommends, and installs, Cyclone silos. “With the wheat market deregulated, being able to store grain on-farm is a huge advantage that puts farmers in control. Having 24/7 access to their grain storage gives farmers freedom of choice when it comes to managing harvest, transport and sale.”

Bill works closely with farmers to design a system that will meet their requirements well into the future. “Cyclone silos are made to order, in Australia, which means I can design a sys-tem that suits the farmer, not try to sell them whatever stock the manufacturer or importer might have left over,” Bill says.

Peter Murphy, of Young based Optimum Engineering Solutions, reckons Cyclone si-los’ reputation for long lasting quality is well deserved. “There are Cyclone silos that I in-stalled over 20 years ago still in service to-day,” he said. “I can design a storage solution for a farmer that will serve them well into the future and which will protect their grain with-out the need for added costs such as fencing, or constant replacement of parts.”

Bill Stabb, of Silo Services Pty Ltd in Mac-edon, who has a long established track record in providing grain storage solutions using Cy-clone silos explains, “Farmers understand that harvest management plays a big part in

36 — Australian Grain July–August, 2009

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109 Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy, Qld, 4610Fax 07 4162 4682Email: ellisequip@bigpond.com

Phone 07 4162 1244E Q U I P M E N T

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Richiger R-10 Grain Bagger & EA-240 UnloaderGrain Bag Loader & Unloader

Richiger’s 10ft.dry grain bagger – largest in its class for faster operation and the least cost per tonne stored!

EA-240 UNLOADER FEATURES: Work capacity is approx 220 tonnes per hour depending on grain type & condition. It is simple to operate. An array of three levers and a switch handles all hydraulic movements. Only one person is needed to oversee work, once the unloader is up and running. Only one person is needed to oversee work, once the unloader is up and running. The EA-240 unloader’s self-trailering feature means outstanding towing aptitude.

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investment opportunities that can be fully maximised in the future,” Khan said.

“You can’t change everything at once. So you need to consider what levers you can pull to improve your cash-flow in the short, medium and long term.”

Khan offers five tips to help small businesses manage their cashflow:

Understand the difference between cash in the bank and cashflow. Cash in the bank is only a ‘point in time’ measurement, before paying creditors, overheads and fixed costs. Cashflow is more dynamic, and takes into account income being received and expenses being paid out over a period of time.Control and reduce operating expenses. Make sure you fully understand the true cost and profitability of everything you do, and how it aligns to your business plan. Talk to staff to get their comments and ask them to help you to identify and reduce costs.Release cash invested in fixed assets. Capital invest-ment in production technology will help to boost business efficiency over the long-term. But prioritise purchases and look at how these assets are funded, as there may be alternatives such as leasing.Manage risk to protect profits and create certainty. Protecting your future cashflow from the effects of external influences can be a smart move. Risk man-agement solutions can include fixing interest, hedg-ing exchange rates and taking a forward position on prices. The right insurance – for people as well as buildings and equipment – is also important.Use your networks. See what the neighbours are doing, attend courses, and keep learning. It’s also a good time to be talking to your team of experts – your accountant, financial adviser and your business banker. n

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w35…CASHFLOW IS THE MAIN CHALLENGE

the success of a farm. On-farm silos provide the flex-ibility that lets farmers choose when they harvest and when they sell. They aren’t tied down to office hours, and this can make all the difference when it comes to getting crops in before the rain, or making that premium sale on a weekend.”

David Barlow, from Jerilderie Grain Storage and Han-dling, sums it up like this “Cyclone silos give us the flex-ibility that allows us to maximise market opportunities.”

A view echoed by James Cummins of Yarrawonga who has had seven Cyclone silos installed over the past five years and has been delighted with the results. “We started with two Cyclone silos. They paid for themselves in no time and so we were able to install five more sooner than we planned. The silos have given us total control of storage and handling of our grain.”

For�details�visit�www.onesteelcyclone.com.au/silos�or�call�Cyclone�Sales�and�Service�on�1800�199�450.� n

July–August, 2009 Australian Grain — 37

featureharvesting & marketing

One�way�to�improve�harvest�management�is�the�flexibility�provided�by�on-farm�storage�systems.

Modern Engineering & Construction Co. Pty. Ltd.

ABN 16 079 134 802

Manufacturers of“Kotzur” Silos and K-Rail

60 Commercial St, Walla Walla, NSW, 2659

Ph: 02 6029 4700, Fax: 02 6029 2307Email: mec@kotzur.com — Visit us online at www.kotzur.com

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Our silo range includes large built on site silos (19 to 4,700 cubic metres), and transportable, grain, pellet, fertiliser, seed and drying silos (15 to 150 cubic metres). All silos available in gastight (guaranteed) form.We manufacture elevated and on ground silos for all farm, industrial, and commercial storage. Specialists in aeration and drying.Our silos have all safety features – designed to Australian Standard 3774.Established in 1953 and celebrating over 50 years of agricultural engineering.

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