Grain Storage Tips

Tips to Maintain Quality When Drying Small Grain
NDSU research has shown the air temperatures at which milling and baking damage become apparent for hard red spring wheat are 160 degrees F, for 16% moisture content; 140 degrees for 20% initial moisture content; and 120 degrees for 24% moisture. These values are for airflow rates of 100 to 150 cubic feet per minute per square foot.

To keep kernel temperatures below 120 degrees F, reduce drying air temperature 10 degrees for an airflow of 50 cubic feet per minute per square foot.

In all cases grain nearest the heat source is most severely damaged.

Durum is very sensitive to dryer temperatures. With higher drying temperatures, the percentage of specks in the processed semolina increases.

For barley, NDSU research has shown the maximum allowable drying air temperature is 130 degrees F, and the maximum harvest moisture content, 20%.

Since the burner of a dryer cycles on and off, it’s safer to use a temperature lower than 130 degrees.

Grain Temperature Key to Grain Storability
Maximum recommended  moisture content for wheat is 14% (wet basis) for up to 9 months storage, and 13% for more than 9 months storage.  Barley moisture should be 13.5% and 12.5%, respectively, for the same storage periods.

Dry grain should be cooled to less than 60 degrees F as soon as possible after harvest, and to 20 or 30 degrees F for winter storage. A temperature gauge for stored grain:

80 degrees:  The ideal temperature for insect and mold growth in stored grain.

70 degrees:  Cooling grain below this temperature reduces insect reproduction,

50 degrees:  Cooling grain below this temperature causes insects to become dormant.

40 degrees:  Mold growth is almost nil at temperatures below this.

20-25 degrees:     Grain should be cooled to this range for winter storage.

Stored grain should be cooled by aeration whenever the grain temperature exceeds the average outdoor temperature by 10 to 15 degrees. Expected allowable storage time approximately doubles with each 10 degree reduction in temperature. Grain should be cooled to about 25 degrees as outdoor temperatures get colder. Grain that has been dried with high temperature dryers will have a moisture variation across the kernel as it comes from the dryer. This will cause an error in the moisture measurement. The grain should be checked at least 12 hours after drying to determine if the grain moisture content has changed.

Check the condition of stored grain about every two weeks while grain is cooling, then about monthly after grain has cooled. A check should include measurements of moisture content and temperature at several locations. Moisture measurement accuracy is dependant on the grain temperature, so it is best to collect a grain sample, let it warm to room temperature in a plastic bag or other sealed container, then check the moisture content. Also, be sure to cover fans and ducts after the grain has been cooled for winter storage to prevent snow from blowing into the bins.

—Ken Hellevang, NDSU extension ag engineer

Storage of Scab-Infected Grain
Research at the University of Minnesota on the storability of grain infected by FHB has indicated that infected grain deteriorated slightly faster in storage than did grain that had been cleaned on a gravity table to remove scab-infected kernels. However, the differences in storability between cleaned and uncleaned grain were relatively small. This means that instead of selling scab-infected grain at a low price during harvest, grain managers can store the crop and wait for better marketing opportunities. The fungus species that causes scab infection and produces DON remained viable during storage at 18% and 20% moisture, but the fungus species died during storage at 16% moisture. This means that DON production during storage is unlikely for wheat stored at less than 16% moisture.

Harvest and Soil Testing
Soil sampling may begin as soon as the early crop is removed. The adjustment on soil test reports known as the “sampling date adjustment” is valid for all three of our early crops, including canola. I have been leery of recommending early sampling following canola due to the possibility of higher N release following harvest than from wheat or barley, but a recent residue study including canola has suggested that no special treatment is necessary to delay sampling following this crop.

The question of whether to sample before or after tillage is largely up to the farmer. Some practically follow the combine with a tillage tool, while others do not till at all. Sampling before tillage results in a more consistent 0-6 inch core for P, K and soil pH, while tillage reduces the possibility of fire hazard to tall residue. In drier areas of the state, samplers need to be aware of fire possibilities. Many sampling vehicles sit high enough off of the ground to avoid a danger, but lower profile samplers may need to wait until after a rain to safely travel the field.

Delay in sampling often results in spring guess work in nitrogen recommendations. There is no need to wait until September to begin this important activity.

—Dave Franzen, NDSU extension soil specialist

Estimate Stored Bushels

Whether grain is stored in square or rectangular buildings, round bins, or triangular or conical piles, you can easily estimate the number of bushels. All you need to know are the following formulas:

Square And Rectangular Bins
Measure the length (L), width (W) and average height (H) in feet of the grain. You may wish to level a section of the pile to obtain a more accurate measurement.

The formula is: L x W x H = Volume

Example: 25 x 12 x 8 = 2,400 cubic feet

Round Bins

Measure the diameter (D) and height of the bin.

The formula is D x D x H x 0.785 = Volume

Example: 24 x 24 x 18 x 0.785 = 8,138.88 cubic feet

Triangular Pile

Measure the length, width and height of the pile.

The formula is L x W x H x 0.5 = Volume

Example: 25 x 25 x 7 x 0.5 = 2,187.50 cubic feet

Conical Pile
Measure the total height and diameter of the pile.

The formula is D x D x H x 0.262 = Volume

Example: 20 x 20 x 8 x 0.262 = 838.40 cubic feet

Calculating Bushels
One cubic foot holds approximately 0.8 bu. of grain, any grain. Simply multiply the volume of grain in cubic feet by 0.8

For rectangular bin in the example above, 2,400 cubic feet x 0.8 = 1,920 bu.

In the round bin, 8,139 cubic feet x 0.8 = 6,511 bu.

In the triangular pile, 2,187 cubic feet x 0.8 = 1,750 bu.

In the conical pile, 838 cubic feet x 0.8 = 670 bu.

These formulas will not be accurate to a single bushel. But they will give you a good estimate of the number of bushels stored in a shed, bin or pile without having to count each truckload.

Grain Drying And Storage Info Online

NDSU Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Info and Links
www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/postharvest.htm

NDSU Online Grain Drying and Storage Publications
www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/grainsto.htm

University of Minnesota Grain Drying, Handling & Storage
www.extension.umn.edu/listing.html?topic=2&subcat=44

U of M Grain Storage Links
www.bae.umn.edu/extens/postharvest/tempstor.html

Fall Temperatures To Terminate Perennial Weed Growth
(NDSU Carrington, 1994* )

Weed	Temperature (degrees F)
Russian Knapweed	29
Western Ragweed	29
Wild rose	29
Goldenrod	22
Stinging nettle	22
Yellow toadflax	17
Perennial sowthistle	<17
Absinth wormwood	<17
Field bindweed	<17
Leafy spurge	<17
Spotted knapweed	<17
Quackgrass	<17
Dandelion	<17
Hoary cress	<17
Canada thistle	<17