FOSS in the Pacific region has launched the Infratec™ Sofia, a rugged, simple-to-use and accurate grain analyser that allows farmers to make informed decisions about when to harvest and how best to use the crop.
The ability to assess the quality and characteristics of grain on-farm is becoming increasingly important for farmers, as costs associated with harvesting continue to rise. Improved knowledge about grain will also empower farmers to exploit a de-regulated market by delivering exactly the right product mix for specific product requirements.
Measurements are simple to perform by anyone and results for parameters such as moisture and protein are delivered in around three minutes. The mobile analyser (240VAC, 12VDC) is designed for operation in harsh Australian conditions. No grinding or sample preparation is required. Current measurement options include moisture and protein for wheat and barley.
Infratec Sofia is fully aligned and calibrated against the Infratec™ 1241 analyser that is approved by the Australian government’s National Measurement Institute for use for trade purposes. The Infratec is the official system used for payment by bulk grain handlers across Australia and around the world.
Initially, Infratec Sofia is for sale in Australia only. It is distributed through CBH Group and ABB.
Harvesting Longer
Assessing whether the crop is dry enough is one of the most critical questions during harvest. Starting too early risks rejected loads at receival or costly artificial drying. On the other hand, if farmers wait too long they can waste valuable time, pushing up costs and exposing the crop to the risk of damage from weather events.
With Infratec Sofia, farmers can accurately determine crop moisture in the field, allowing them to start the harvest earlier and to continue longer into the day with confidence. Harvesting is completed in the shortest possible time, reducing costs and potential risks.
New Business Opportunities
Soils and conditions can vary greatly across a field, resulting in grain of varying quality. The Infratec Sofia provides a fast, easy way to check the quality of grain before or during harvest. This allows farmers to make critical on-farm grain handling decisions on-the-spot instead of waiting for the receival station to give a verdict. The grain can be categorised on-farm for optimum profit, with just the right protein content for feed or food use.
Better Farm Management
Apart from providing information critical to managing the current harvest, Infratec Sofia also assists with future cropping strategies. All results are stored on a removable memory card, so grain quality data gathered from different areas of the farm can be used, for example in field mapping and other precision farming strategies.