A SIMULATION-MODEL OF WHEAT HARVESTING AND DRYING IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

A simulation model of a conventional wheat harvesting and drying system was developed to examine the effect of many variables on the total cost of wheat production in northern Australia. The effect of grain moisture content at harvest and machinery capacities on the overall system cost was studied in detail. The results show that maximum return is obtained when grain is harvested at moisture contents of 15 to 19% wet basis, then artificially dried. The optimum harvest moisture content depends on crop area and the capacity of harvesting machinery. The effect of maturity date, spread of maturity, grain losses and operational strategies on production costs are discussed. The results of this investigation are specific to wheat, but the general conclusions apply to other cereal and legume crops. © 1993 Silsoe Research Institute.