Woofter Construction has proudly helped those in the agriculture industry for more than 40 years, helping them find solutions that enable them to grow and produce better and with more convenience. We build quality ag equipment, customizing grain storage bins and silos to meet the needs of farmers across Kansas. Though we design and build our aq equipment to last, we know there’s still the need to prepare storage system as well as possible to prevent costly damage to your grain haul. The time to harvest comes quicker than we think, and time is often of the essence when it does, so taking a few smart measures in advance makes sense to avoid unnecessary waste down the line and guarantee you can market your grain effectively when the time comes. To help, we’ve put together a quick checklist of simple things to keep in mind to get your grain storage system ready and be set up for more successful storage conditions.
Woofter’s Guide to Improving Your Grain Storage
- Clean out your grain storage bins. Of course, starting on the right note is essential to make sure your storing season runs smoothly. Invest the time to thoroughly clean your bins or silos, getting rid of any spoiled, leftover grain or any insects. Check underneath as well, since insects like to make a home here. On top of that, if you experienced an issue with insects the previous year, it’s important to fumigate to be safe the issue doesn’t repeat.
- Only store quality grain. For quality to come out, you have to put quality in. If you’re storing your grain long-term, you should start with a mature, healthy corn. This will ensure the grain survives the storage season and comes out well on the other side.
- Pay attention to the moisture content. The longer you’re going to be storing the grain, the lower the moisture content will need to be. Generally speaking, if you’re storing until June, moisture content should be 15%. Note 14% if you’re planning to store through the next harvest, and 13% if you’re storing longer term to prevent mold growth.
- Enhance bin or silo airflow. It’s no secret that aeration is important to prevent mold and grain deterioration. Not allowing for proper airflow is a sure sign you’ll waste your grain. You can improve airflow by distributing fines that are spread out around the bin to prevent spoilage in the center. Or, try repetitive coring.
- Don’t neglect the temperature. Along with sufficient airflow, you’ll need to properly control the temperature in your storage system as well. Consider temperature cables so you can safely monitor the grain and ensure its climate stays appropriate for healthy storage. Typically, you can keep it between 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you start getting much higher than that, say the 70-degree range, you’re increasing your chances of insect infestation and mold growth.
- Set yourself up to keep an eye on your grain. Your grain storage system contains a profit, so why wouldn’t you monitor it closely? It’s recommended to inspect it weekly, especially during the hotter months. To check it, observe if there’s a crust or smell at the top. If there’s a surface moisture it, get your fans going. Collect a sample to test the moisture content, and watch for insects. You may even want to consider insect traps. In the colder months, you can get away with checking your grain once or twice a month.
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