Australia: The Grain Trade Australia refuses to ban on-farm drying of malt barley

The Grain Trade Australia (GTA) Standards Committee has removed a proposal to ban on-farm drying of malt barley, Merredin - Wheatbelt Mercury reported on June, 11.

A storage operator put forward the proposal in the initial round of submissions on the committee's annual review of grain standards, citing deliveries of malt barley that had poor germination results attributable to incorrect on-farm drying.

The proposal was included as part of the draft standards released by the committee earlier this year for industry consideration.

Sound and reasoned submissions were received from WA, arguing the use of on-farm grain dryers for malt barley was accepted practice and critical to growing malt barley in many regions.

GTA chief executive Geoff Honey said the result was a clear indication of the effectiveness of the process.

"Every year we accept submissions to the review of grain standards and then circulate a draft for further input from all sectors of the industry," Mr Honey said.

14 June, 2013