Grain Protein Meters

Author: SPAA

Ashley Wakefield started yield mapping in 1996. He annually produces 2500 to 3000 tonnes of malting barley and bread wheat, canola, peas and lentils on his 400mm rainfall property on central Yorke Peninsula. Over the past 10 years his PA equipment has evolved to include RTK guidance (2cm accuracy), KEE Technologies Pro- steer on the harvester and tractor and a Kee Zynx controller for data logging and variable rate management. For the past five harvests he has used an NIR Technologies protein meter. I was keen to use a protein monitor, as I wanted to select the areas of barley with high protein for use in the pig rations. Since closing the pig operation in May 2006 my objective is to use the protein meter to ensure each delivery of bread wheat or malting barley meets the correct specifications to maximise price per tonne. I believe it will take several cycles of the rotation before I have sufficient protein data to use it confidently in my fertiliser decisions. In 2006, we had a virtually trouble free harvest and the protein meter produced useful information. The NIR Technologies meter linked to a Zynx Computer produces on-the-go maps and I had the parameters set to show protein zones in 0.5 percent increments. This level of detail is not really necessary and in future I will set the parameters to identify three zones; below 9.5%, between 9.5 and 12.5% and above 12.5% for malting barley and below 10%, between 10 and 12.5% and above 12.5% for bread wheat. The meter provides an average protein percentage for each box of grain as well as an average for every five boxes. I used the box average to determine in which silo the grain was placed. Where possible, boxes with very low or very high protein were blended in the paddock. The protein varied from 6% to 16% this year and because of the low yields we did not have the opportunity to improve the returns for each paddock. The NIR measurement for moisture, which is the same as used at the silos, gives me confidence that grain is the right moisture to reap. Next year I will use the canola cell that will provide oil content. In relation to protein monitoring I have had four frustrating years but I have been pleased to be working with the manufactures in the development of a meter that now has the potential to provide another valuable tool to improve output management. Download the full article to read more about other growers' experience: Colin Stoeckel, SA and James Hassall, NSW

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