Silo monitoring has come a long way from the days of throwing rocks at the silo to listen for the distinctive sound of where the levels were, or climbing the silo and banging the sides to find the level, whilst hoping you didn’t have too many hang-ups.
It is important, as we all know, to keep on top of the grain and pellets that are stored because no one wants to run out when the animals need to be fed.
There are several technologies that can be used for silo monitoring, including sensors, scales, cameras, and software systems that can automatically track and analyse data from the sensors. Some systems can alert the farmers as to the level of the product in the silo, moisture in the silo, silo temperature and even insect activity. Whilst silo monitoring can be done manually, automated systems are becoming more common as they offer greater accuracy and efficiency.
One of the advantages of automatic silo monitoring is that it can provide real-time alerts to operators in the case of any abnormal conditions detected by the sensors. This allows operators to take prompt action to prevent any potential problems such as spoilage, contamination, or structural damage. Additionally, automated systems can provide historical data on the condition of the silo, which can help operators make informed decisions about maintenance and storage practices.
Overall, automatic silo monitoring provides a more efficient and effective way of monitoring silos, which can improve the safety and reliability of checking how much feed is in the silo - essential knowledge when feeding livestock. With climbing silos now a thing of the past ,due to safety regulations, early uptake of monitoring technologies will benefit the farmers.
When you search for the silo monitoring equipment you will find many, many alternatives. The camera option has been around for a while, but the biggest issue is dust building up on the lenses. Weigh scales on the silo are another option but these can be difficult to retro fit. One of the newer options available is the radar.
One such example is the feed link silo monitoring radar which is wireless and solar powered. This makes installation easy, and reduces the need for electricians and expensive line-laying. The silo sensors send information back to a central hub that can send messages by text or email to the farmer, or feed supplier, to help manage the feed level in the silo.
The use of such technology will mean owners can be away from the business and still know if feed is running low without having to rely on workers to relay this information. In today’s environment, with inflation and labour shortages, our businesses need every advantage.
Whilst silo monitoring equipment has been expensive, the cost is coming down all the time, making it more economical to use technology for this simple but vital task.
