For growers looking for the right time and price to sell corn this year, bin storage might be their best option to keep the grain safe and in good condition. But certain measures must be taken before, during and after unloading at the bin. Our experts shed light on a few timely steps to take before storing grain this fall.
Step 1: Start clean. Earlier this fall, we reviewed tips to prep your grain bins for harvest. Our first recommendation was to clean your grain bins, augers and other grain-handling equipment to ensure they are free from old seed, traces of insects and mold. If you haven’t done so, be sure to safely remove old grain from bins or equipment. In bins, consider using a vacuum system, broom or even washing out the inside of the bin. We also recommended fumigating grain bins or applying an insecticide after cleaning to prevent pests or pathogens from infecting new grain. During this time, it’s also an important practice to check bins and equipment for any signs of wear and tear or cracks, gaps or leaks. Once all bins and equipment are clean and properly inspected, and any fumigation or insecticide treatments have been given the proper amount of time (based on label instructions) to settle, you’re ready to move on to the next steps.
Step 2: Consider the desired shelf life of the stored grain. It’s important to consider how long you intend to store the grain to understand the best management practices for keeping it safe in the bin. Growers need to take into account moisture levels of corn going into the bin and temperatures in the bin to determine what is called allowable storage time, or AST. View this chart provided by the South Dakota State University Extension that features allowable storage time for grains based on grain temperature and moisture content.
Step 3: Avoid storing wet corn when possible. Proper drying is critical for quality grain storage. Storing high-moisture corn can exacerbate or increase the incidence of molds and greatly affect grain quality. Consider a grain dryer to help get the seed to around a 16% moisture level or less for extended storage. If you must store wet corn, understand that it will have a much shorter shelf life in the bin as it is more prone to spoilage.
Step 4: Check the seed quality before unloading. Aside from moisture level, growers need to consider how other seed quality issues might impact their stored grain.
“It’s best practice to allow only your best quality seed in your bins,” says Tom Larson, Stine corn technical agronomist. “Lesser quality grain, such as smaller, immature kernels, will not have as long a shelf life in the bin. You also want to avoid storing grain that’s been visibly impacted by other environmental stressors such as drought, insect and disease pressure.”
Step 5: Keep it dry and cool in the bin. Maintaining the quality of your seed during storage is key to getting the best bang for your buck at the elevator. Experts at the South Dakota State University Extension say grain temperature is key to long-term storage. Their advice — keep it cool.
“Use fans to cool grain down to 20-30°F to store over winter. As long as grain is not stored at temps lower than 20°F, there is rarely need to run fans to ‘warm’ grain in the spring," says South Dakota State University Extension experts.
Aeration in the bin is critical to achieving proper temperature levels and moisture content throughout storage. Ensure all aeration fans are in working order. Grain spreaders can also be used to help evenly distribute and help aerate corn in bins, as well as regular “coring” to ensure the grain in the center gets moving and doesn’t spoil during storage.
Step 6: Regularly check bins. It’s easy to let time get away from you in the winter months but frequently checking the quality of your grain in the bin should be a regular item on your checklist.
“The last thing you want to see in stored grain is crusting on the top,” says Larson. “This means you’re having moisture issues in the bin, which can greatly impact seed quality and yield when you’re ready to take it to the elevator. Frequent checking to ensure proper aeration and temperature levels remain consistent is a must when storing grain. It should never go overlooked.”
Step 7: Keep safety top of mind. This step is perhaps the most critical of all. There were no fewer than 29 grain storage and handling-related entrapments in 2021, and no fewer than 56 fatal and non-fatal cases involving agricultural confined spaces, according to a 2021 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities report. Grain entrapment and engulfment are serious matters and happen too frequently. Check out our tips for staying safe in and around grain bins.
For more information on grain bin storage and safety, consult your local Stine sales representative or agronomist.