A decision support system for grain harvesting, storage, and distribution logistics

Abstract

This paper presents a decision support system to help farmers compare different grain harvesting and distribution strategies—for example, whether to store grain on farm or use bulk storage facilities located away from the farm. The system is underpinned by a discrete-time mathematical model that incorporates features such as multiple crops, moisture management, yield loss, quality downgrades due to adverse weather events, and quality optimization through blending. The output variables from the mathematical model include the total yield of each crop, the duration required to complete the harvest, and the transport and storage costs. The model is validated via test simulations using data that reflects typical farming scenarios in Western Australia. The results show that with on-farm storage, harvest duration and yield losses decrease and the total yield increases, leading to more profit for farmers.