Tips for Proper Grain Storage Throughout the Winter

The long, cold winter can be brutal on your grain, especially if it’s not stored properly. Making sure that you prepare for inclement weather will help you maintain your grain’s high quality, and all it takes are a few easy steps. Failing to store your grain properly increases the risk that it will go out of condition prematurely, and force you to either market it immediately or lose the product altogether. Here are some tips from a provider of conveyor components in Lubbock, TX to keep in mind as you prepare for colder weather:

• Prepare your grain bins or bags: Cleaning and inspecting your grain bins or bags is the first step to ensure quality grain storage all winter long. Make sure there are no insects or debris in the bins or bags. If you’re using bags—which are increasingly popular with farmers today—inspect for any holes or tears that might allow insects, rodents or other pests to invade.
• Cool your grain: If your moisture content is high, or your grain quality is poor, you can still store it. However, you’ll need to keep it very cool—about 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Controlling the grain temperature is the biggest way to make sure it doesn’t fall out of usable condition.
• Aerate often: Aerating is designed to regulate the moisture content and ensure that there are no “bad spots” that have gone moldy. The low solar angle of the winter months means the sun’s heat is more intense, which can cause the grain to warm up and turn the entire crop bad.
• Check the moisture content: Moisture content should be between 13.5 and 14 percent during the winter, if the grain is high quality. Lower-quality grain should be kept at 12 to 13 percent. Monitoring the moisture prevents mold from forming and allows the grain to be kept for longer periods of time over the winter months.
• Inspect often: Biweekly inspections are a good way to monitor the grain’s moisture content and temperature, allowing you to catch a problem well before it destroys the entire crop. Look for a crust forming, as well as for a noticeable smell. If there’s an increase in surface moisture, this can be a sign that something is very wrong. These problems can be solved by starting your aeration fans immediately. You’ll also want to collect and test a sample to confirm the moisture content. If part of the grain goes bad, you’ll have no choice but to collect and remove it, or market it earlier than you had intended.

With some careful prevention, you should be able to store your grains all winter long.

Grain storage conveyor components in Lubbock, TX

Need grain storage parts? We are your one-stop shop. When you need the right grain storage equipment, including conveyor components in Lubbock, TX, contact M.B. McKee Company, Inc. We have the largest selection of commercial mechanical components around. Our company is built on two main values: service and solutions. Find out why our customers have been coming back for years by contacting us today.

Categorised in: Conveyor Components

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