For growers supplying premium grain markets, maintaining quality specifications is essential. However, when contaminants are present within a grain sample, even at relatively low levels, loads can be rejected, putting contract commitments and crop value at risk.

Rushbrook Farms Ltd recently faced this challenge when a load of milling wheat was rejected due to ergot contamination. The situation highlighted not only the importance of grain quality management, but also the role that specialist processing techniques can play in helping growers overcome quality issues and maintain market access.

Understanding the challenge

Ergot remains one of the most problematic contaminants in cereal crops, particularly where grain is destined for milling markets with strict quality requirements. When contamination is identified, growers are often faced with difficult decisions around how best to manage affected grain while preserving as much marketable product as possible.

In this case, the rejected load raised concerns about the farm's ability to continue supplying against its milling wheat contract and retain the associated premium. As farm traders are often among the first to be notified when a load is rejected, close communication between Frontier's farm trading and mobile seed processing teams enabled the issue to be assessed quickly and options to be explored.

Selecting the right approach

Following an assessment of the grain sample, optical sorting was identified as the most appropriate solution.

For this project, the grain was processed using Frontier's high-capacity mobile optical sorter (CS1). Operating directly on farm, the machine is capable of processing around 25 tonnes per hour, depending on grain quality, making it well suited to handling larger grain volumes efficiently.

The mobile optical sorter uses advanced camera technology to analyse individual grains by colour, size and shape, enabling contaminants such as ergot to be identified and removed with a high degree of accuracy. Because only the contaminants are rejected, grain losses are kept to a minimum while producing a cleaner, higher-quality sample and retaining as much marketable grain as possible.

Following processing, the wheat was successfully brought back within specification, enabling Rushbrook Farms Ltd to continue supplying against its milling wheat contract and retain its premium.

Delivering a practical solution on farm

While the technical solution was clear, delivering it required a flexible approach.

Limited on-farm storage capacity meant it was not possible to process the entire grain volume during a single visit. Working closely with the grower, the team planned activity around grain movements and available storage space, allowing processing to take place in stages as capacity became available.

This approach ensured grain could continue moving from the farm while the remaining tonnage was treated. In total, approximately 2,500 tonnes of grain were processed over the course of the project.

The experience demonstrated the importance of tailoring solutions not only to the technical challenge, but also to the operational realities of the farm.

Optical sorting as part of the grain quality toolkit

As grain quality specifications become increasingly demanding, optical sorting is providing growers with an additional option for managing challenging grain samples.

Frontier continues to invest in both its people and mobile processing technology, adding new mobile units each season to ensure growers have access to the latest processing capabilities and on-farm expertise.

To further expand capability, Frontier has recently added a second mobile optical sorter (CS2) to the fleet. With a throughput of approximately 12 tonnes per hour and an integrated rotary cleaner, it provides additional flexibility to meet a wider range of customer requirements and grain quality challenges.

While optical sorting is not required for every grain quality issue, it can offer a practical solution where contamination threatens marketability, helping growers retain as much value as possible from their crop.

The value of a joined-up approach

When grain quality issues arise, timely communication can be just as important as the processing solution itself.

In this instance, close collaboration between Frontier's farm trading and mobile seed processing teams helped ensure the challenge was identified quickly and an appropriate course of action agreed without delay. By combining knowledge of grain markets, contract requirements and processing capabilities, the team was able to support the grower in resolving the issue while minimising disruption to the business.

Supporting grain quality and crop value

As pressure on farm margins continues and quality specifications remain high, understanding the options available for managing grain quality issues can help growers make informed decisions and protect crop value. When challenges do arise, early assessment and a collaborative approach can help identify the most appropriate route forward and support continued access to premium markets.

For mobile seed cleaning support or to find out more about the products and services mentioned in this article, speak to your Frontier advisor or contact us directly on 0800 227 445 or info@frontierag.co.uk