UK farmers are increasingly looking at McArthur BDC's Sukup drying silos as a cost-effective solution for combining new grain drying, cooling and storage capacity

UK farmers are increasingly recognising the value of Sukup drying silos, long since popular in Northern Europe and Scandinavia, due to their capability to dry, cool and store grain in a single system. The silo can be quickly filled straight off the combine and the highly automated system reduces labour requirements as no re-handling is required during loading or unloading grain.

"We are seeing continued strong interest from farmers looking to invest in new grain drying and storage capacity. The opportunity to eliminate the time-consuming job of moving and drying grain during the harvest period is a massive attraction," explained John McArthur, managing director, McArthur BDC.

Two farmers, amongst the growing number installing Sukup silos, explain the reasoning behind their decision:

Jonathan Jacques, of DR Jacques Ltd, Park Farm, Kirton in Lindsey, North Lincolnshire, needed to increase his drying and storage capacity, primarily for wheat, in time for harvest 2024.

"I was aware of McArthur BDC and its ability to successfully deliver grain storage solutions. I had seen a small-scale working demo of a Sukup drying silo at a trade show, and decided to find out more so that I could weigh up my options and the investment required around installing a drying silo, or building a new grain store," explained Jacques.

Following liaison with McArthur BDC's team and close inspection of comparable costs, the most economical solution was to install a 700t Sukup drying silo.  

"Working closely with McArthur BDC, I took the decision to locate the Sukup silo on a no longer used tennis court which has allowed us to make good use of a wasted space," continued Jacques.

Grain is tipped from the trailer into the Sukup's auger which feeds into the top of the silo. Once dried, grain stays in the silo until it is emptied into a trailer or lorry if it needs to be moved, or when it is sold.

"The Sukup silo has delivered exactly what I wanted. As well as drying and storing my wheat, I have also used it to dry and store some of my maize," added Jacques.

Already using an existing continuous flow drier, Leicestershire-based Buckminster Farms Ltd, needed to increase its grain drying flexibility.

"A farming neighbour was already talking to McArthur BDC about installing a Sukup drying silo and he recommended I talk to its team," said Matthew Wallace, of Buckminster Farms.

"The McArthur BDC team explained that a 1,231t Sukup aeration silo would meet our requirements. This was a more cost-effective solution than erecting a new building and allows us to fully utilise the capacity of our existing continuous flow drier," Wallace continued. "The aeration silo does not include the stirring element which dries the grain, but should we need additional drying capability, the silo can be retrofitted with the stirring capability."

Once dried, the grain is fed into the Sukup 4210 aeration silo from a Skandia Elevator 120t/h conveyor. The grain is stored on the silo's fully ventilated floor which supports rapid crop cooling. The silo has an integrated unloading system including sweep, horizontal and vertical augers, allowing trailers to be filled with the push of a single button.

Boo Parkes who farms at Weelsby Estates, Grimsby, is another farmer who after looking at costings understood that installing two Sukup drying silos, in time for harvest 2022. was a more cost-effective investment when compared with upgrading his existing drying and storage facilities.

"The Sukup drying silos are a great fit for me and delivered the extra 1,000t of storage and drying capacity I needed and, they easily meet the additional demands of a larger combine. In a word they are brilliant!" said Parkes.

"Each of our customers have very individual requirements and the McArthur BDC team can draw on the combined practical and technical experience within the business, to deliver straightforward guidance around how to make the most of investment in post-harvest systems," said McArthur.

"Our aim is to support customers' businesses, and help them be more profitable and resilient."