Mitch Hawker is a second-generation farmer from Brobenah, New South Wales, a small farming area with rich soils 45km east of Griffith.
Mitch alongside his father Graeme, runs a mixed farming operation including stock and cropping across 4000 hectares within the Riverina.
For many years, the Hawkers had relied on grain bags to store their hard-earned yields, but as the seasons passed and the demands of the farm evolved, it became clear their approach was not sustainable over the long term.
“It was working well for us for a while, but wasn’t a good long-term solution and ended up creating more work for us,” said Mitch.
The time had come for the Hawker family to explore their on-farm storage options, and local farmer Neil Findlay, had excellent things to say about Allied Grain Systems products. Neil’s Barellan property has many Allied silos with over 10,000 tonnes of hard wheat storage, along with a Hutchinson drive over belt conveyor.
As Mitch began researching his options, Allied’s promise of a 5-year sealed silo guarantee, innovative aeration systems, and the convenience of the walk around platforms stood out to him the most.
“Having a sealed silo means you don’t have to double handle things, and can leave the grain in one spot,” said Mitch.
In 2022, the Hawkers made the strategic decision to purchase two 36’-12 sealed silos, just in time for the upcoming harvest. They also bought an 84-foot x 13-inch Swing Away Auger, an asset that quickly proved it’s worth.
“The Auger is an asset for sure, it’s really streamlined everything.”
In March 2023, Mitch approached Allied to increase their on-farm storage again, installing a 42’-12 sealed silo.
Mitch says the investment in on-farm storage allows them to capitalise on market fluctuations while safeguarding their product from the unpredictable dips in pricing.
“It just gives you greater control of your product.”
The Hawker family are already considering installing a fourth AGS silo to bolster their operations!
“Off the back of a couple of good seasons when we have the budget for it, we’d like to put in another one too.”
If you’re ready to take the next step towards enhancing your grain storage, contact our friendly team today on 1800 689 433!
