Waterton Hall Farm, near Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire, faced a growing challenge with ergot contamination in its harvested grain. Harry Strawson, the farm owner, knew that addressing the issue effectively would not only protect the quality of his own crop but could also open new commercial opportunities. Having previously worked with McArthur BDC to expand grain storage and drying capabilities, Strawson reached out to discuss potential solutions for cleaning and sorting grain on-site.
“I had previously successfully worked with the McArthur BDC team when increasing my grain storage and drying capabilities,” said Strawson. “They had designed a new store and installed the required equipment to meet my needs at that time. But, the challenge of dealing with ergot meant that I had to have a rethink.”
Advanced Cleaning and Sorting Technology
Strawson initially considered installing a colour sorter solely for his own crop. However, discussions with McArthur BDC’s grain cleaning and sorting specialist revealed a more comprehensive opportunity. By combining a larger colour sorter with a fine cleaner, Strawson could not only tackle ergot but also leverage his existing storage and drying infrastructure to create a new revenue stream through contract grain processing services.
He opted to install a JK Machinery VibroMax vibrating sieve cleaner alongside the largest 10-chute Bühler Spark Pro colour sorter, creating a high-capacity, hygienic and fully integrated processing line.
Integration with Existing Infrastructure
The upgrade had to work seamlessly with the existing plant, which included an Aagaard pre-cleaner, a Svegma 40 tonnes per hour (tph) continuous flow dryer and Skandia Elevator handling equipment. McArthur BDC integrated the new machinery to optimise workflow:
- Grain entering the plant either goes straight to storage or is routed through the dryer before being stored.
- For external clients, grain passes through the Aagaard pre-cleaner into storage bins, then through the VibroMax for fine cleaning, before entering the Spark Pro colour sorter.
This configuration allows the Spark Pro to operate at up to 50tph, with each of its 10 chutes handling up to five tph, ensuring high throughput and rapid processing.
“The capacity of the Spark Pro means that we can sort grain which arrives by lorry in around 40 minutes. The driver tips into the intake, and then reverses into the bay and can then take a break. Once his load has been cleaned and sorted it is discharged directly into the lorry and is ready to go,” Strawson explained.
Upgraded Handling and Control Systems
To support the new processing line, the farm extended its existing Skandia Elevator equipment with two belt and bucket elevators and one chain and flight conveyor, ensuring smooth transport between the VibroMax and Spark Pro.
A new weighbridge and office facility complement the plant, while a remote-access control panel allows operators to monitor operations, adjust routing and manage processing in real time.
Enhanced Safety, Hygiene and Compliance
The integration of VibroMax and Spark Pro ensures minimal dust, precise separation and safe handling of grain, essential for maintaining hygiene standards and complying with TASCC assurance. By fine cleaning, separating and colour sorting grain on-site, Strawson can confidently guarantee product quality while protecting downstream customers from contamination.
Contract Processing Creates New Revenue Stream
Waterton Hall Farm’s investment now supports WHF Clean Grain, a new enterprise offering contract drying, cleaning and sorting services to farmers and grain merchants. With a processing capacity of up to 50tph, the farm can provide high-volume, fast-turnaround services, maximising return on infrastructure and equipment investments.
“I can’t overestimate the importance of working with a supplier of grain processing solutions, which is much more than just a supplier,” said Strawson. “The McArthur BDC’s team’s comprehensive knowledge and experience was invaluable in ensuring we installed the equipment that met our individual requirements. It’s understanding of how to integrate new equipment with that already in place was crucial. We now have a future proof processing plant that is already helping to deliver a return on investment. A win-win!”
Conclusion
This project demonstrates how strategic equipment investment and expert integration can transform a farm’s post-harvest operations. Waterton Hall Farm has not only addressed a pressing ergot contamination issue but has also created a scalable, high-efficiency processing operation that adds significant value to both its own crop and that of local farmers and merchants.
