Display To Be Feature Of Bulk Grain Meeting

Press, Volume C, Issue 29524, 27 May 1961, Page 6

Display To Be Feature Of Bulk Grain Meeting

A display of bulk handling machinery will be a feature of the third bulk grain conference which will be held at Addington showgrounds on June 15 under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture. Visitors from as far away as Otago and Southland are expected for the meeting which may attract an attendance of between 250 and 400. The meeting will begin in Canterbury Court with Mr C. J. Crosbie, machinery instructor of the department in Christchurch, who has fathered these meetings and done much to foster interest in bulk handling in the South Island, giving some facts and figures about the technique and short accounts of one-man harvesting and some aspects of the use of moisture meters. Subsequent speakers will include Mr L. C. Dunshea. general manager of the Wheat Committee, who will discuss the bulk grain industry and its future with special reference to the need for farm storage; Mr Hugh Evans, of the Department of Agriculture, Ashburton, who will present a short paper on a study he made in MidCanterbury last harvest of two similar farms, one of which was harvesting in bulk and other in the bag—this is a time and motion and economic study; Mr L. H. Weston, machinery instructor of the department in Dunedin, who will discuss grain drying in Otago and Southland; and Mr A. D. Lowe, of the entomology sub-station of the D.S.I.R. at Lincoln, who will deal with pests of farm-stored grain, how they can be recognised and combatted The main part of the afternoon will be devoted to the first display of bulk grain equipment ever staged in the South Island. It will embrace about 16 separate moving displays. Some 20 tons of grain is being carted into Christchurch from Darfleld in farm trucks and on its way to the mill it will be elevated into at least six bulk self-propelled and trailer headers at the showgrounds. These machines in

turn will unload into a farm truck or farm trailer while on the move and these loads will be elevated by at least six different augers or elevators into three different storage bins. One of these bins will be of plywood and another of welded wire mesh lined with scrim. Finally cartage contractors with their own loading equipment, will load their trucks preparatory to carting the grain off to the mill.

Three bulk hoppers with bagging off attachments will be on display and the Canterbury Malting Company will be demonstrating its suction unloading plant. About ninety per cent, of the equipment on display will be farmer owned and there will be equipment of interest to the small grain farmer as well as for the larger farmer. When the demonstration is complete those attending the conference will be able to move close to the machinery and question those using it. Morning and afternoon teas and lunch will be available on the ground for a charge and to asist with the catering the department would like those intending to attend to write to the secretary of the bulk grain conference, care of the Department of Agriculture, Private Bag, Christchurch. If they request it, a copy of the programme, which will be available in about a weeks' time, will be sent to them.