Wet Harvest Looms: Preparations For Storing Higher Moisture Content Grain

Bin Inventory

Make a list or a spreadsheet of the bins available for storage at harvest time. This is important in developing a plan for grain movement. In the bin inventory list, record the storage capacity of each bin and the aeration system installed in the bin. Include the aeration capacity per bushel that the fans provide (cfm per bushel). Bins that have a higher cfm per bushel capability can handle wetter grain with more success.

Figure 1 is an example of a a simple bin and aeration inventory spreadsheet in development in a manager’s bin inventory. List as much information as is available to describe the bins.

Add to the spreadsheet in Figure 1 the description of the aeration system on each bin. Figure 2 shows the aeration descriptors for the bins in Figure 1. Columns added to the Figure 1 spreadsheet describe aeration capabilities in bins. Numbers in orange indicate bins that have very limited fan capabilities, less than 1/10th cfm per bushel.

An important piece of information is the fan capacity per bushel for different types of grain. Typically, a minimum capacity is considered to be 1/10 cfm per bushel. If information for your fans has long since been misplaced, general information can be found on the web or in computer applications such as the F.A.N.S. program available from the University of Minnesota at bbefans.cfans.umn.edu. Aeration system vendors are a good source of information as well.

Once the spreadsheet is as complete as possible, managers can refer to this information quickly to make decisions and establish a grain movement plan. Decisions concerning length of storage and level of moisture content accepted can be made given the information in the spreadsheet.

Prior to harvest, managers may want to determine which levels of moisture content will be directed to each specific bin and add that information to the spreadsheet. Communication of this plan to personnel who take grain and direct it to bins for storage is critical.

Take note that when different levels of moisture content are blended, the average moisture content is for the paperwork only! The grain kernels are still at their original moisture content for a long time to come. Therefore, mold may develop on the wetter kernels and cause heat, attract insects, and form moldy clumps, while the lower-moisture content kernels may maintain better condition. This can cause serious safety hazards for workers and certainly makes unloading the bins difficult.

Safe Storage Times

Knowing the potential storage times is important as well. Charts such as the one for corn in Table 1 are available on the internet. The University of Arkansas also has a fact sheet that provides instructions on how to calculate storage time based on the storage history of the grain. (“Safe Grain Storage Period,” Sadaka, Atungulu, and Olatunde, FSA1058, University of Arkansas.) If the grain has been stored under unfavorable conditions, the total safe storage period will be reduced. This information is necessary to make marketing decisions for higher-moisture grain. Here’s an example:

Corn (21% moisture content) was stored for six days at 70 degrees F. Table 1 shows 12 days for the safe storage time given 70 degrees F and 21% moisture content. Therefore, half of the corn’s safe storage life is over. If the corn then is cooled to 50 degrees F, it will not have 48 days of safe storage life as Table 1 shows. It will have half of 48 days (or 24 days) left for safe storage. The total safe storage time under c these conditions is six plus 24 days (or 30 days). Marketing this grain prior to 30 days is a good idea.