A new, essential guide for grain storage management is released today. The Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) grain storage guide contains new, clearer guidance aimed at improving management practices in modern farming.
Having a copy of the 2011 Third Edition will be a requirement of farm assurance schemes for combinable crops.
The NFU was part of a consortium that led to the creation of the new guide, which includes new scientific evidence developed over the past four years through significant funding from Defra and industry.
NFU chief arable adviser Guy Gagen said: "While some of the basic messages remain the same, including to cool and dry to below 15 per cent moisture as quickly as possible, we are pleased the HGCA has been able to update the guide with straightforward advice, backed up with clear diagrams, in a logical sequence. This effort has turned the best available knowledge into practical and consistent guidance for farmers through to larger storekeepers in safely managing storage risks.
"The overwhelming majority of grain harvested in the UK is stored on farm, and moved directly to processing intake, which is not so common in other parts of the world. This direct link is part of a flexibility our farmers wish to encourage. Where huge steps have been made in improving the consistency of storage over the past 10 years this new resource from HGCA will help farmers maintain the high standards they work to for their grain processing customers with the support of assurance schemes and central storage businesses. "
Mr Gagen will be speaking at the UK Grain event in Peterborough on November 2 to cover questions on improving grain passports, information feedback and the HGCA mycotoxin risk assessment.
