Juho Riuttamäki manages a farming operation in Huittinen consisting of four farms. Each year, about 5 million kilos of grain are used for animal feed. A large part of the feeding needs is covered with compound feed and purchased grain, but the company also grows crops such as winter wheat and barley. To meet the substantial grain drying demand, three dryers have been used.
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–The old dryers were becoming too small; we no longer had enough drying capacity. Then we heard that Antti was launching an entirely new product—a drying silo. We thought it would be a convenient way to even out feed quality, especially since the content of purchased batches can vary a lot. We dared to make the investment because it’s a reputable domestic company. We believe Antti’s after-sales service will work well if any issues arise with the new product, Riuttamäki explains the background of the purchase decision.
– We chose a silo with a larger diameter (D12.1). It was designed to be installed next to the piggery. From the silo, the grain would move via a spiral to the mill and then directly to animal feed. At midsummer, we built the foundations with local labor. Antti provided the site supervision, and the actual assembly work was handled by a team recommended by Antti. There was a bit of a rush during construction, but in the end, everything was completed just in time before harvest season, Riuttamäki says.
Riuttamäki’s experience with the drying silo after the first harvest season has been positive, although a new system always requires some learning.
“In my opinion, ease of use is the number one thing with a drying silo. This setup is top-notch—before, we had to monitor day and night and constantly switch batches from one dryer to another. Now we have a huge silo where grain can even be stored fresh. It handles the final drying and mixes the feed to a uniform quality.”
The convenience provided by the drying silo’s automation also appeals to Riuttamäki.
“The fans start automatically when moisture requires it. This saves energy and ensures efficient drying. Currently, the silo has cold-air fans, but heaters will likely be added for cold and wet conditions.”
“If a farm grows large volumes, Antti’s drying silo is a strong option. Adding a heat source to the fans would, in my opinion, produce marketable grain. In other words, this is not just a feed mixer—it’s also well-suited for final drying and storage of high-quality bread wheat,” Riuttamäki concludes.
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