Food security was explored by Gippsland croppers at an on-farm workshop near Bairnsdale last month.
Southern Farming Systems hosted grain storage specialist Peter Botta and more than two dozen people interested in grain growing and agronomy across Gippsland.
Mr Botta said about 40 per cent of Australian grain growers stored their product onfarm and needed knowledge about using fumigants safely, as well as food safety.
At least 50pc of the national crop would be stored onfarm within five to 10 years and sold direct to customer.
Traceability along the supply chain and growers’ awareness of their responsibilities were important in the growing environment of onfarm grain storage.
Hygiene, cleaning storage bunkers and silos, treating for insects and repairing surfaces needed to be part of good management.
“Grain is a food product so it has issues around it of food safety and security, which is important to the consumer,” Mr Botta said.
“Because grain growers elect to store their grain on farm, they are part of the food safety and security pipeline.
“Best practice grain control starts with hygiene – that includes a plan for how to clean up, minimising where insects can be and structurally treat the complex or storage silo.
“Essentially the only thing we have now to take out insects, is to fumigate them in the storage system.
“You are actively putting chemical on grain – when you do that correctly it is exceptionally safe; but you need to be sure you are applying it in the correct manner and storing the grain safely.
“Fumigation is something we need to get right and comply with the Australian standard.
“Even application of grain treatments is impossible and so far new products rely heavily on even application.”
Storage of grain was a thorny issue, which began in the paddock; and Mr Botta recommended airtight sealing of grain to reduce insect infestations and care in using fumigants, insecticides and pesticides.
“Farmers need to regularly check the crop in the paddock for insects, keep an eye on weather and growing conditions; and use those same skills in grain storage, which is probably not happening,” Mr Botta said.
“As well as treating the crop, cleaning and treating the bunker or silo ensures insects are taken care of.”
He said innovation in the market was leading change.
“For longterm storage of grain, cooling the grain with aeration is a really good management tool because grain stores for a long time and stores well,” Mr Botta said.
“Technology can help identify humidity and temperature when harvesting and aerating grain.”
Safe work practices were also of interest.
“Something as simple as going up a ladder on the side of the silo to inspect the grain from the top – that’s the best way to do it but you need to ensure you do it safely,” Mr Botta said.
“Use a full face mask to protect yourself when spraying fumigants – in my experience I rarely see that on a farm but in my experience most people would be using phosphine.”
