It’s better just to dry grain.
On paper, we have all kinds of equations that show you how to make it look like your composite moisture content is acceptable.
What really happens in the real world is that you end up with pockets of high-moisture grain throughout your storage.
That leads to mold and insect infestation in those wet areas. When we see spontaneous combustion fires in grain bins, many times they come from those pockets of wet grain.
From a safety standpoint, pockets of 18% moisture grain cause clumping. At best, it doesn’t come out of the reclaim system.
At worst, it causes an entrapment or a death in the grain bin from a wall of grain breaking loose or from bridging.
I know it’s more costly, and it takes time, but dry that 18% down a little bit before you integrate it.
Reprinted from Grain Journal July/August 2020 Issue