Is ergot contamination causing you an issue?
3rd February 2025
Colour sorters could be the answer for ergot contamination in your crops, according to Perry of Oakley.
For those struggling with ergot contamination, Perry of Oakley explains the benefits of colour sorters and how they work…
Why should I consider buying a colour sorter?
Quite simply it increases the value of your crop by removing the impurities which pull your price per tonne down. In this case the impurity is ergot.
You’ve worked hard to bring that crop in, so it’s vitally important you do all you can to increase its price per tonne.
What does a colour sorter do?
In a nutshell it sorts the sample it is given by using colour differences between the grain type you want to keep and the impurity you want to remove.
Don’t be bamboozled by the tech. Yes, a colour sorter uses loads of clever cameras and air jets to do the sorting, and that is controlled by intelligent algorithms.
But the important thing is to have a very user-friendly system that takes the expertise out of the process, and that’s exactly what the IST Colour Sorter range has.
The IST range is also excellent at reducing the amount of good grain that gets wasted during the sorting process, the company reckons.
Why should I buy a colour sorter from Perrys?
Perrys are the only UK distributer for the IST range of colour sorters.
What’s so special about the IST colour sorters? They are super straightforward to use, incredibly well designed, and highly accurate.
And that all comes in a very cost-effective product when compared to other well-known brands, Perrys says.
Plus, as Perrys distribute them, it is also able to provide commissioning, training, support and spare parts from the UK.
What else can an IST colour sorter do?
The IST colour sorters can do far more than just sort out ergot from your grain, Perrys explains.
They are the perfect addition to your grain processing if you plan to intercrop as they can sort barley from wheat as well as separating other crops.
The NIR technology can also separate fungal contaminated grain from good due to the colour difference caused by the fungus.
What capacity ranges do the IST colour sorters come in?
As with most colour sorter ranges the IST goes from one chute through to eight chutes with ~4–6tph capacity on wheat per chute.
The actual capacity is governed by the characteristics of the product and the level of contamination present.
But, chute sizes vary between manufacturers so don’t be caught out. For example the IST 6 chute has the same capacity as another well-known brand’s 8 chute, Perrys warns.
Integration is key
The significant benefit of purchasing a colour sorter from Perrys is that it manufactures all the handling, cleaning, drying, storage and control systems you need to integrate the sorter into your operation, the company says.
Using the combination of its UK designed and manufactured handling, drying, storage and control equipment and its established European partners, Perrys can design a complete integrated cleaning and sorting plant for your grain store.
A British manufacturer
Perrys has been a key part of the British agricultural sector for over 75 years. It designs and manufactures its entire product range in the UK which means that all the support you need is rapidly available, including a large stock of spares.
Contact Perrys today for all your handling, storage and drier requirements on 01404 890 300 or email sales@perryofoakley.co.uk, and receive a free, no obligation quotation.
Find out more about Perry of Oakley’s colour sorter.
