By Jamie Martin
As temperatures rise in spring, farmers face challenges in maintaining the quality of their stored grain. Dave Ellis, a district manager for GSI, emphasizes the importance of proper grain storage to prevent spoilage and ensure profitable harvests.
To protect your grain, keep the bin temperature within 10 degrees of the ambient average. This prevents condensation, which can lead to spoilage. Once external temperatures exceed 50 degrees, adjust aeration to keep the grain cool through summer.
Inspect your grain weekly without entering the bin to avoid entrapment risks. Signs of spoilage like crusting or odd smells indicate the need for immediate aeration to equalize temperatures inside and outside the bin.
In cases of minor spoilage, blending off the top crusted layer is possible. However, heavily spoiled grain should be removed promptly to prevent complications during unloading.
GSI offers innovative solutions like the GrainVue digital cable technology, which monitors moisture and temperature 24/7. This system automates fan operations and alerts farmers to potential spoilage, reducing the need for physical bin checks.
“Bins can heat up really fast when sunlight hits them during spring and summer," says Ellis. “Protecting quality grain means less dockage at the elevator and more money for your bushels.”
Equip bins with spreaders to enhance airflow and evenly distribute grain. After harvesting, adjust the grain's peak to promote air movement and remove fines by pulling out about 300 bushels for every 10 feet of grain depth. This creates an inverted cone, improving aeration significantly.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fotokostic
Categories: National