Grain storage is important to ensuring the hard work of a growing season doesn't go to waste. Angie Peltier, Ed Usset, and Ken Hellevang shed light on essential preparation steps and new grain bin advancements during the 2023 Strategic Farming: Field Notes session.
Prepping Your Grain Bins for Harvest
Before the grains hit the bin, it's vital to ensure the bin's readiness -
• Start by inspecting your grain bin, especially where the steel meets the concrete. Sunlight shining through indicates potential holes that need patching.
• Cleanliness is vital. Clear out remnants from the 2022 crops. A simple rule is if you recognize the previous crop, it's time to clean.
• After insect infestations, consider fumigating your empty grain bin. Always remember, for fumigation, a specific certification is required. It's essential to be thorough and compliant.
• Ensure that all storage equipment is functioning optimally. That includes augers, aeration systems, and monitoring devices. Don’t forget to calibrate any equipment as needed.
Safety First
Every farmer should be familiar with the inherent risks associated with stored grain.
• Stories of farm workers getting trapped in grain bins serve as somber reminders. To prevent such incidents, the lock-out, tag-out safety procedure is recommended. It alerts others that someone is inside the grain bin or working on machinery.
• Grain entrapment is another hazard. Flowing grain can pull a person in, leading to suffocation. It's always advised to be cautious and informed.
Innovations in Grain Storage
The world of grain storage is witnessing new advancements:
1. Temperature Monitoring: All bins should ideally have equipment to monitor the grain's temperature.
2. Moisture Measurement: Some tools are now available to measure moisture content in grain bins using temperature and relative humidity data.
3. CO2 Level Indicators: As fungi and insects respire, they produce CO2. Monitoring its levels can give early warnings about potential grain problems.
4. Insect Detection: There are devices emerging that can detect insect activities inside bins, though they remain uncommon in colder climates.
Grain Market Dynamics:
Storing grains requires staying informed about market dynamics, as fluctuations in grain prices are influenced by global and local factors. Corn and soybean prices have experienced downward trends, while geopolitical issues like Russia's conflict with Ukraine have impacted spring wheat prices.
Being aware of these changes is crucial for better decision-making.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-wwing
Categories: Minnesota, Crops