Henry had excess spring wheat last year which he stored on the ground until it could be moved to the elevator. When the time came, he realized the quality had been compromised. There was discoloration and a musty, heated smell. A probe sample was bordering on wet and there was a rusty grain beetle infestation.
Henry is determined to avoid the mistakes he made last year. We all need to be mindful about how we store our excess grain. Keep in mind that the drier and cooler the grain is before storage, the longer it will store safely and with less likelihood of insect infestation.
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Review your methods for grain bin storage from time to time. Ensure the bin is cleaned thoroughly before putting new grain in to reduce your risks of carryover of insects. Check bins for rodent and moisture entry points and be diligent about repairing them.
Apply a recommended insecticide to the interior of the bin. Do not store canola in bins previously treated with malathion (learn more at www.canola-council.org).
After harvest, pull a load or two
out of each bin to circulate the core. This is important with all grains. Seasonal temperature changes affect how moisture migrates inside the bin. Aeration is a great way to lower the temperature of your grain. Make sure you run the fans long enough to get the entire bin down to a consistent temperature. If it’s warm enough outside you can actually get a drying effect from the forced air.
The same rules apply for quonset storage. Moisture migration is a risk in quonsets because coring the pile is more difficult. This means proper aeration is much more important if prolonged storage is planned. Considering the nature of loose storage, the proper amount of airflow is critical to effectively create a consistent grain temperature. Of course bird excreta can be kept to a minimum with a closed quonset.
If you’re storing excess grain, a temporary bin can be erected on the ground using a steel ring that will keep wildlife away from the base of the pile. Position the pile so water drains away and tarp the pile to eliminate seasonal damage. Create an aeration system to ensure grain temperature is consistent throughout. Regularly check the core with a probe or steel bar.
Grain baggers are a great alternative to a covered pile on the ground. They provide safe storage for dry, tough grain and can offer up to one and a half years of safe storage. It’s even possible for producers to open the bag, take a portion of grain out and re-seal it. However, there have been reports of animals making holes in the bag, which breaks the protective air-tight seal. Some producers have said malt barley stored in these baggers can lose its germination. Thorough research and vigilance can slow up these concerns.
For Henry, this is the right solution. He expects to continue picking up additional land through the years, so he wanted a mobile, flexible system for grain storage. He’s moving ahead, and now he owns a grain bagger.
Ryan Smith is a zone merchant for Richardson Pioneer based in Winnipeg
