REGULAR CHECKING of cereal crops in store could prevent incurring rejection costs totalling up to a third of the value of the crop, growers have been warned.

Taking into account the original cost of delivery, treating rejected grain and delivering it back to the buyer, the cost of rejected loads could be up to £20 per tonne, warned Glencore Grain‘s Hugh Schryver.

Problems with high moisture contents after the wet harvest and rejections because of insect infestation were causing concern, he said.

“It is better to spend a modest amount at the farm now, rather than paying more later,” he said. “When it [rejection] does happen, it is a major cost.”

This was reinforced by Banks Cargill‘s Richard Whitlock, who said that while he had not seen huge levels of rejection so far this year, the potential was there, especially given the relatively poor quality of this year‘s crop.

A variety of problems had been seen so far, from reduced germination in barley to noxious smells from grain because of a lack of ventilation, he said.

“It is in all our interests to monitor stores regularly. Rejected loads can cost £5/tonne at least, before quality claims start to kick in.”

Now was a good time to go round and check stores, ready to turn fans on as soon as dry, cool weather arrives, he said.

“It is also part of due diligence as an assured farmer to check stores regularly,” he added.