By Blake Jackson
Missouri Soybeans, in partnership with presenting sponsor Ag Growth International (AGI), hosted its first-ever Grain Smart Field Day on June 4.
The event, held at the Farm for Soy Innovation near Columbia, focused on grain bin safety, advanced storage technology, and emergency preparedness for farmers and rural fire departments.
A central feature of the event was AGI’s BinManager system, a digital solution for grain storage that allows farmers to remotely monitor and manage conditions inside their bins.
“Grain bins are critical for our operation, but they’re also one of the most dangerous places on the farm,” said Brad Arnold, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC) board member. “Any time you can reduce the risk of having to go inside a bin, you’re protecting your people and your profit.”
The AGI BinManager, demonstrated by AGI representatives Ryan Thompson, Erin Squires, and Dustin Wageman, provides real-time data on grain moisture and temperature. It operates fans and aeration systems automatically, reducing spoilage and eliminating the need for farmers to physically enter bins.
“That’s when unsafe conditions begin,” said Thompson. “AGI BinManager has the unique ability to allow farmers to remotely condition their beans, prevent spoilage and bring them to a profitable targeted moisture content- all from a cell phone or computer."
In addition to technology, the event featured a live grain bin rescue demonstration by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), in partnership with Nationwide. The demo showed how trained responders use rescue tubes during emergencies.
“Grain bin accidents happen fast, and they’re almost always preventable,” said Kyle Durham, MSMC board member. “It’s critical that our farmers, families and first responders have the right tools and training in place before an emergency happens.”
Missouri Soybeans also donated rescue tubes to East Prairie and Martinsburg fire departments. “These tools make all the difference when seconds count,” said Durham.
Another highlight was the demonstration of SoyFoam, a soy-based, PFAS-free firefighting foam. “Technology makes our job safer and more efficient,” said Gale Blomenkamp, assistant chief with the Boone County Fire Protection District. “SoyFoam reduces environmental impact and health risks, which is a win for firefighters and communities alike.”
“Whether it’s through cutting-edge bin monitoring like AGI BinManager, donating rescue equipment or exploring soy-based solutions like SoyFoam, we’re committed to making farms safer and more efficient,” Arnold said. “Events like this bring it all together- the tools, the training and the technology.”
Photo Credit: getty-images-chinaface
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety