Time to treat grain stores in preparation for harvest

With harvest approaching, growers should be planning to treat the fabric of their grain stores now before stores are filled up once again. Empty grain stores can harbour many insects and mites, ready and waiting to infest incoming grain. The hygiene process usually takes around five weeks to be fully effective, so forward planning is essential, reminds Interfarm UK Ltd.

"Harvest always seems to arrive all too quickly and this year with the prospect of a good harvest and high commodity prices, it is even more important to make sure that the harvested grain is kept in tip top condition, free from pests and diseases. Storage pests not only cause direct damage to grain but can create conditions which promote fungal growth. Any loss of grain quality in store will make a considerable impact on what should be excellent returns this year. Most growers with an eye on a profitable harvest will be keen to protect their investment," explains Dr. David Stormonth Technical Manager of Interfarm (UK) Ltd.

Dr. Stormonth urges growers to start the store hygiene process now by removing any dust and debris from the store in order to reduce pest and disease pressure and prevent further contamination. "Growers should also monitor pest activity using insect traps and when live insects are found, be prepared to treat the store structure with a product such as Silico-Sec well before harvest," says David.

Silico-Sec is a biophysical treatment derived from diatomaceous earth (DE) and consists of highly micronised specific amorphous silica (silicon dioxide). "The absorbent silica in Silico-Sec abrades the outside cuticles of insects and mites, removing the water-proofing waxes and resulting in desiccation and death of the pests. As such, it is effective against all target pests."

"Because it is a biophysical product, Silico-Sec has none of the issues of resistance or any restrictions associated with chemical-based treatments," says David.

"Silico-Sec is applied as a dry dust at a rate of 10gms per square metre of grain store fabric at least 5 weeks before the stores are filled. Using the specially developed Venturi Applicator to apply the product evenly, the entire fabric of the store including walls, floors, equipment, ventilation ducts, intake pits, elevators, rafters and other surfaces, especially corners and crevices, where it is needed the most, should be thoroughly covered. Thorough and even coverage of the whole fabric of the empty grain store is essential in order to get the best results," advises Dr. Stormonth.

"Silico-Sec is a proven and non-chemical method of controlling a wide range of insect grain pests, including the grain weevil, the saw-toothed grain beetle, the red-rust flour beetle, the cosmopolitan food mite, the flour mite and the larvae of the cosmopolitan flour moth in stores. It is a natural, non-toxic alternative to OP treatments and can be used in conventional and organic farming systems," adds David.

Silico-Sec contains up to 96% inert silicon dioxide as a diatomaceous earth powder between 13-15 microns. It can be used either as a store treatment or on stored feed wheat, barley and oilseed rape (but not milling wheat as yet) for the prevention of invertebrate pests such as mites, weevils and beetles when used as part of an integrated storage management strategy. It has both protectant and curative treatment. It is packed in 15-kg bags and is available exclusively from Interfarm distributors.

For further comment and information, please contact Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm UK Ltd. on 01354 741414 or 07818 036506 (mobile)