Horst
Systems
When it comes to deciding whether you want on-site grain storage, you have several things to consider. On-site storage comes with increased efficiency and flexibility during harvest, while also giving you control of your crop with how you store and market it.
While there are other options out there, like taking your grain to a local elevator, there are a number of key advantages that come with keeping your grain storage systems on-site. Perhaps the most important thing of all is that it has the potential to increase your income.
Farming and agriculture are no easy business, so making sure you turn a profit for your hard work is essential. At Horst Systems, we create full-service grain storage systems that keep your operations running smoothly and your grains in top shape.
In this blog, we’ll explore how on-farm grain storage can increase revenue.
Improved Grain Quality & Value
Did you know that one of the biggest financial benefits of having on-farm grain storage is the control it gives you for when and how you market your grain? Not only does a grain system maintain the quality of your grain, but you can also defer the delivery of your harvest when grain prices are at their peak, allowing you to maximize the value of your crop.
Rather than selling your crop at harvest, you can market your grain throughout the year, taking advantage of market fluctuations and peak demand periods, as well as developing a plan that meets your cash flow requirements.
Crop Handling Fluctuates with the Market
Just like stocks, the grain market experiences its ebbs, flows, and fluctuations. With on-farm storage, it gives you the option to hold on to your grain until the markets turn in your favour.
If the market is down, a system with the right conditioning can keep your grain from spoiling, giving you the time necessary to wait until the market ticks up again. This is one of the major benefits of having your own on-site system, but there’s more to it than that.
Some additional factors that cause fluctuations in the grain market include the following:
International trade trends
Fluctuating energy costs
Worldwide supply and demand
Currency strength
Local and global weather conditions
And more.
Manage Weather Impact
When you choose to have an on-site grain storage system, you are better equipped to manage sudden changes in weather, especially in the unpredictable Ontario climates. This allows you to have more flexible grain delivery, regardless of the weather. Weather can have a big impact on the grain market and price, so having an efficient grain storage system can help bypass these pitfalls.
Remove Potential Inefficiencies & Delays in Delivery
One of the biggest losses farmers can face? Time. This is especially important during harvest season when you plan to deliver your crop. Farmers lose money when trucks are forced to wait to unload due to delays in the field and other inefficiencies.
These include bottlenecks such as limited storage capacity, slow grain handling, equipment downtime, etc. Having a united system designed to keep things running smoothly (providing immediate storage, faster grain handling, and reliable conditioning), you can avoid these inefficiencies and delays. This allows your trucks and harvesting equipment to keep moving.
Balancing Labour Costs
Your farm runs on your team's hard work, but overworking them is a shortcut to mistakes. Managing a farm is expensive, and the last thing you need is labor costs spiraling out of control. Unfortunately, labour costs can skyrocket if efficiency is lost during harvest and delivery. Rather than having to rely solely on workers to handle all the setup and transportation during a harvest, on-site grain storage systems (with features such as elevators) can be designed to be easier and less expensive.
An expertly designed grain storage and receiving system eliminates downtime and limits the need to overspend on resources. These innovative systems enable you to reduce costs and maximize the efficiency of your operations, all with the help of a thoughtfully designed grain storage and delivery system.
Remove Outsourcing Drying & Storage Costs
By not utilizing an on-farm grain storage system, you can be limited to taking your crop to a local elevator for drying and storage. Rather than having to outsource your grain drying, an on-site system can be used to condition your grain to allow you to reduce your drying cost. Unfortunately, many farmers don’t always have the on-farm infrastructure to dry large quantities of grain, especially during large harvests that require additional drying. Sizing your on-farm dryer to match your harvesting capabilities is an important step when designing your on-farm system.
With an on-farm system, it's not only drying costs that can be reduced, but you can avoid having to pay off-site storage costs, keeping everything in-house. While it does require an initial investment, the reduced drying and storage costs create a substantial ROI that continues long after the system is paid for.
Avoid Harvest Interruptions
On-site grain storage systems provide you and your workers with the ability to eliminate potential inefficiencies during the harvest process.
By having on-site storage, processes are streamlined throughout the entire harvest, from combining to delivering and storing the grain. With grain bins, you can keep your combines running day and night with limited risk of delays or bottlenecks.
Prevent Against Potential Grain Loss
Remember how we mentioned that hectic Ontario weather? It's a significant factor when it comes to grain harvest practices. The weather fluctuates during harvest, causing delays. With an on-farm grain system designed for your needs, you can make the most favorable weather windows.
By having a properly sized on-farm grain storage and conditioning system, you can quickly move your crop from the field to the bin, reducing the threat of field loss from bad weather and eliminating the other challenges that come with harvesting in poor conditions. They also gain something truly invaluable: peace of mind. That feeling comes at the moment the crop moves from the field to the bin, where it's protected from weather shifts and potential losses.
Horst Systems: Grain Storage Capabilities Simply Unmatched
When you choose Horst Systems, you choose more than 30 years of unmatched capabilities. Our systems are some of the most complete in the industry, and we help you manage them from design, implementation, and execution. We have the proper experts to get the equipment up and running, so your operations don't have to be delayed. We do this all without cutting corners while maximizing quality.
We work alongside you to collaborate on a design that works for you and your business, all without having to sacrifice the features you need to get the job done. Whether you’re looking for a small upgrade, a complete overhaul, or to build a new grain system, Horst Systems will be there with you every step of the way. We have a comprehensive design team that specializes in creating innovative solutions tailored to agricultural challenges. By factoring in space, crop types, and future growth, we ensure your system meets your needs not just today, but in the long term.
Don’t Worry, We Have Your Back
We understand that farming and agriculture require timely responses when problems arise. Whether you notice a glitch in the system or damage from the unpredictable Ontario weather, we’ll be on the scene as fast as we can to resolve the issue. Our goal is to make sure your system is up and running as quickly as possible, so you and your workers aren’t losing out.
If you are interested in discussing what an on-farm grain storage system could do for your operation, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us today.
