Abstract: An automatic system for drying high moisture content material from a source. The system includes a dryer enclosing a bed inclined upwards from the bottom portion thereof to the top portion thereof, and a slat and picker drive motor for urging material downward from the top portion to the bottom portion of the bed. A first material feed system transports the high moisture content material from the source to the top portion of the bed, and includes a surge bin disposed between the source and the dryer for assuring a constant supply of material to the dryer for constant operation thereof. There are sensors for detecting the amount of material delivered to the surge bin; and a controller, responsive to the sensors, which adjusts the rate of material transferred from the surge bin to the dryer and the rate material is processed through the dryer.