Impact of Dryeration on Grain Elevator Performance in a Fluctuating Energy Situation

The dryeration process was originally advanced by agricultural engineers to improve grain quality by reducing stress cracks to the kernel normally incurred in the conventional drying process. This study demonstrates that the country grain elevator with dryeration facilities also uses substantially less energy to dry the same amount of grain and achieves higher profits above variable costs associated with drying operations than the elevator with conventional drying facilities, regardless of grain moisture conditions. These advantages are shown to be further magnified if energy prices continue to rise or if potential energy shortfalls are realized.