MIA grain growers are set to reap the benefits of an upgraded GrainCorp site at Barellan, which will more than quadruple grain loading times and increase efficiency, with the flow on effects boosting demand and prices.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
GrainCorp revealed the newly upgraded “world-class” facility as part of its Building a Better Network program on Thursday, designed to upgrade targeted sites delivering maximum benefit to the growers.
Grain growers Kevin Morris and Jeff Savage are looking forward to seeing these benefits.
“It’s going to be brilliant for this area, especially with time delays during harvest time,” Mr Morris said.
“This year it may not make a big difference because of the season, but obviously it’s here to help us stay viable in the future.”
The old cement gravity fed silos at the site were loading 180 tonne an hour, compared to this new facility which can do over 1000 tonne in the same time.
“A train would pull up here and they could be here for 14 hours minimum, where now they will be done in three hours,” Mr Morris said.
“Efficiency is huge, obviously buyers are going to be very keen to buy here from our site because of that turnaround time, so fingers crossed we will then benefit from their pricing,” Mr Savage said.
General Manager of GrainCorp Operations Nigel Lotz was excited to reveal the site ahead of harvest to “one of the most reliable grain growing region in the country.”
“These efficiency gains will deliver at least a $5 tonne saving in freight costs and open growers to new international opportunities,” Mr Lotz said.
“We have used regional contractors and local subcontractors to complete the works, supporting local industry.”
RELATED:
State government contributed $1.5 million to the project, increasing the length of the siding by 522 metres, with GrainCorp investing $7 million into new equipment.
This money went into also increasing grain loading to construct new high-speed rail loaders and redevelop the site including upgrading the weighbridge and roads.
“It has also been fantastic to work with John Holland and the respective local councils, to ensure the best result for the community,” Mr Lotz said.
“We are in the final stages of commissioning ... and expect the site to be fully operational by end of the month.”
