Percentage of Corn Grain Losses in Roads Transport Based on Weight of Loads

Abstract

Estimates for the 2018/2019 grain crop indicate production in the order of 238.5 million tons, an increase of 4.7% compared to the 2017/2018 harvest. This production, although satisfactory, could still be greater, were it not for the problems faced with the logistics of grain disposal where billions are lost due to the limited investment in infrastructure. The objective of this work is to establish a percentage loss index, as well as to assess these quantitative losses during bulk grain transportation of corn. The research was developed through a partnership between the National Supply Company (CONAB) and the NTA (Nucleus of Storage Technology), at the Federal University of Mato Grosso. It was established the evaluation of losses related to grain transportation in the main waterways, being bulk corn in BR 163/364 in the State of Mato Grosso. After the choice of the highways evaluated, we carried out research on the data of romaneios in the transportation of corn in bulk. The obtained data, through the romaneios, provided weight of origin, weight of destination, place of origin and place of destination, in this way, by difference was obtained the quantity of grains lost in the transport and the mileage traveled in each route. By means of these data it was possible to obtain three indices of losses, one in Kg/Km (kilogram per kilometer wheeled), another one in Kg/t (kilograms per tons transported), and also determined an index of loss in percentage of grains transported. With the indication of the indices it was possible to evaluate the losses. The Bitrem truck (7 axles) was used as the basis for calculating the losses, since during the interviews this was the type that had the most occurrences in BRs evaluated, with 39%. Based on the questionnaire, the load weight of 38,000 kg was therefore adopted. For the study of corn grain losses in road transport, 39,642 data were analyzed for routs, with 24,902,808.50 km rotated, mean of 628,19 km away by route. The amount of corn grain transported was 1,852,437,042 kg. The total losses were 1,808,951 kg, averaging 45.63 kg of loss per trip. The loss per km was on average of 0.072 kg. Transport of corn grains between Nova Ubiratã and Rondonópolis presented the highest frequency of trips (8629 trips), however the losses were 37,710 kg of grains or approximately 628 bags of corn (60 Kg). The index of percentage loss for maize (0.1025%). This percentage is lower than the adopted one that is of 0.25%, nevertheless, represent considerable losses for the economy. Based on the data obtained in the present study, it can be stated that it is possible to adopt percentage loss rates of less than 0.25% in contracts. It is recommended to adopt the percentage rates of grain loss in road transport of 0.10% for maize.