The application of commonly recommended management principles has eradicated a strain of grain storage insects with strong phosphine resistance, located on a Western Australian farm.

When it comes to controlling pests in stored grain this season, growers can choose both chemical and non-chemical treatment options. Usually a combination is best.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is eager to point out to farmers that modes of action for grain pests depend on individual needs and circumstances, and there are some easy ways to decide.

Indeed, Agri-Science Queensland grain storage specialist Philip Burrill says for grain storage, three key factors provide significant gains for both grain storage pest control and grain quality – hygiene, aeration cooling and correct fumigation.

"In particular, I can’t emphasise enough how effective hygiene can be, particularly knowing how rapidly insects multiply and spread from a small amount of old residual grain under warm spring and summer conditions,” Mr Burrill said.

“By ensuring that machinery and equipment used to handle grain, including headers, augers, field bins, truck bins, silos and other storages are clean to prevent insect pest contamination of newly harvested grain you have a huge head start.

“It’s also important to check or clean out left-over planting seed, empty silos, feed troughs, shed floors, old bags of seed gradings or any other sheltered food source where insects may multiply.”

When it comes to controlling pests in stored grain this season, growers can choose both chemical and non-chemical treatment options. Usually a combination is best.

The tolerance for live storage pests in grain sold off-farm for the domestic human-consumption and export markets is zero.

With more growers storing grain on-farm these days, it is therefore critical that they identify pests early and monitor for pests on a regular basis.

To assist growers in this process, the Grains Research and Development Corporation has produced a Stored Grain Pests Identification Back Pocket Guide which provides a snapshot of common pests found in stored grain in Australia.

The guide provides descriptions and images of stored grain pests, information on how they can be monitored and identified, the control methods required, how to sample for resistance testing, as well as details of other useful resources.

Growers inspecting grain storage facilities can carry with them a useful new resource to help identify any pests which may be present

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is reminding growers of the need to reduce the potential for combine harvester fires this summer.

Preventative and precautionary measures are essential in limiting the fire risk, according to the GRDC and farm machinery safety authorities who say that Australian broadacre harvest conditions are arguably the most hazardous in the world for fires.

Internationally-recognised agricultural engineer and harvester expert, Dr Graeme Quick, whose research into harvester fires is supported by the GRDC, says the key to avoiding harvester fires is diligence in clean down and inspection, and postponing paddock work during the highest fire risk periods.

“Suitable equipment and operator diligence in a fire-prone environment is critical, and this calls for systematic preparation and prevention procedures,” Dr Quick said.

“All operators should equip their machines with at least two fire extinguishers. A high capacity air compressor with air lances should be on board or at hand. Regular blowdowns are essential and in the worst conditions a blowdown may be needed as frequently as every half hour, or bin round.”

The issue of combine harvester fires was investigated last year by Dr Quick, who was engaged by the GRDC to look at the causes of a spate of blazes and to prepare a set of recommendations for reducing the impact and consequences of combine harvester fires.

High moisture grain generates heat when put into a sealed silo, providing ideal conditions for mould and insect growth.

The GRDC Board is accountable to Australia's grain growers, through the industry peak organisation and to the Commonwealth Parliament, through the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The GRDC Board normally has between seven and nine directors.

The Chairman is selected and appointed by the Minister. Mr Keith Perrett was appointed by the Minister on 1 October 2007, and reappointed until 30 September 2013.

The Managing Director is appointed by the Board of the Corporation. The Managing Director is the sole Executive Director and holds office at the Corporation's pleasure. John Harvey was appointed as the GRDC’s Managing Director on 1 March 2011.

Five to seven Directors are appointed by the Minister, on advice from a selection committee selected by the Minister. On 22 November 2011 the Minister announced the appointment of 6 directors, until 30 September 2014.

The busy time of harvest can be the most dangerous on a farm, so to help growers Stay safe around grain storage a fact sheet has been released by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

With on-farm storage one of the issues currently top-of-mind for growers harvesting grain crops, a helpful online resource is available to help guide their storage decisions.