WRL Engineering Case Study
Graeme Maxwell, Barmedman
WRL Sealed Grain Shed “paid for itself in the first year”
Problems with a leaking grain silo and an unjustifiable price increase in machinery shed builds saw Barmedman grain grower, Graeme Maxwell, taking a trip to Warren to meet the WRL Engineering team. Two 5,400 tonne multipurpose fully sealed grain sheds later and Graeme is convinced it’s one of the best decisions he’s made after the initial shed “paid for itself in the first year”.
“We were originally looking for a machinery shed, and the cost was astronomical especially if we wanted a concrete floor,” Graeme explained. “We needed more grain storage at the time too. After the painful experience of dealing with a leaking silo, we thought why not kill two birds with one stone and invest in a fully sealed grain shed.
“We went to Warren to see the team at WRL Engineering. We literally made the decision to go ahead with the first build in 2020 on the way home. The WRL team were here, and it was up before we knew it.”
A fourth generation farmer, Graeme crops 12,000 acres of barley, wheat and canola with wife Leah on his family property 50kms north west of Temora. The strategy of storing barley and some wheat on-farm for later season marketing advantages saw the first sealed shed literally pay for itself within the first year according to Graeme.
The increased storage capacity also allowed an opportunistic early purchase of urea before a significant price rise which supported the next shed build in 2021. When not full of grain or fertiliser, the sheds securely store a range of machinery such as augers and mother bins reducing weather and vermin damage.
Graeme explained his experience working with the WRL Engineering team for his shed builds was “absolutely faultless” from quotation to completion.
“The WRL team work very hard to get the job done to high standards and were easy to get along with the entire time,” Graeme outlined. “The meticulous sealing process is impressive to watch right down to the concreting which you would have to see to believe how well they all work together.
“People always say there’s no way you’d get as good a seal or grain storage as a silo, but we’ve had both pressure tested and the shed is every bit as good. Even the group who conducted the testing were impressed.
“If I could pull down all the silos and replace the storage with sealed sheds I would. The handling is so much easier. We can load a road train with a loader in under 25 minutes.
“We clean up the last of the grain with a couple of loaders in no time and wouldn’t be left with more than half a tonne to sweep up at the end. It’s so much easier than cleaning out a silo.”
Graeme is so impressed with the WRL sheds that he has hosted many farmers and even groups looking at building their own sealed grain shed.
“We’ve had FarmLink tours and even one bloke who flew in to look at the sheds,” Graeme outlined. “These sheds make grain and fertiliser handling and storing so easy. They really are multipurpose and the team at WRL are excellent to work with. I couldn’t recommend them enough.”
12-14 Arthur Butler Drive,
Warren NSW 2824
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