Grain bins have been iconic figures on
America's farms for decades. This historic yet advantageous invention has made
it possible for farmers to have more control over their farming operations.
As Missouri weather continues to be
unpredictable, devising a plan for proper grain storage is just one of the many
things a farmer needs to be successful at harvest. When checking over a grain
bin, it's important to start from the ground up. The foundation upon which the
bin rests is key.
According to Location Manager Mike
Barringhaus at Farmers Grain Terminal in Slater, USA, farmers need to check the
concrete foundation for cracks. The cracks can allow water to penetrate the
stored grain. If imperfections are found, tar may be used for quick spot
treatments. Any greater damage and the farmer may consider replacing the
foundation.
Internally, the bin needs to be as clean as
possible. The cleaner the internal bin is, the better chance you have at
battling bugs in the autumn.
Mr Barringhaus suggests using an
insecticide on the internal ceiling, walls and floor of the bin to provide a
good shield against pests.
"If there is any residue at all, the
insects will harbour and wait until there there's another good batch of
grain," Mr Barringhaus said. "Then they will start destroying
it."
Another easy way to prevent harbouring of
insects is to mow and keep weeds around bins to a minimum.
Temperature control deems critical during
the packing of a grain bin. Mr Barringhaus says that as a farmer fills up his
bin, fines and shafts from the grain can get concentrated in the centre of the
bin. These extra particles seem innocent, but if left packed among the grain
they will cause a lack of air movement and increased temperatures.
To prevent this from happening, farmers
should take a load or two of grain out of their bin to increase airflow. This
process is called coring their bins.
University of Missouri Extension Agronomy
Specialist Wayne Crook also suggests grain should be stirred and aerated during
storage to prevent the development of additional hot spots.
Once the grain has been harvested,
temperature control and monitoring moisture are crucial. Often, they go hand in
hand.
Another rule of thumb suggests checking the
stockpile of grain every two weeks. Open up the top of the grain bin, smell and
look carefully to sense that it still smells fresh and it is bright yellow in
color. This is a way of quickly checking the grain in storage.
Mr Barringhaus mentions that extreme
weather fluctuations such as autumn turning to winter and winter melting into
spring will cause condensation to form in the grain bins.
"It will draw moisture and the
moisture will get down on the corn or beans," Mr Barringhaus said.
"It will start to crust it over. Once the crust starts, the grain can't
transfer air through and then it heats up."
To avoid this, corn should be stored
between 35 degrees Fahrenheit to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Mr Crook.
If during a routine check, a farmer
discovers their grain bin has started to spoil, how far the spoiling has gone
can mean the difference in time the farmer has to market their grain.
"If it's just starting to spoil, they
can turn on the aeration fans and just blow air. That usually slows down and
stops it, and gives them a couple more months to market that grain," Mr
Barringhaus suggests. "If it's already past the point of no return where
it's really spoiling and heating up, they are going to have to move it, get it
out and transfer it to another bin."
If these steps are not done in a timely
manner, producers will need to find a place to sell their grain before it's
completely ruined.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine GFMT
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
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