 |
ProCrop |
Natural Air Drying for Small Grain
Straight cutting small grain this year may require some grain drying. Using natural air to dry wheat will work if it's done right. The fan must move enough air through the wheat to dry it before it spoils. Wheat at 18 percent moisture content and 70 degrees F, for instance, must be dried in less than 21 days, which requires an airflow rate of 1.25 cubic feet per minute.
Essentially no drying is done with aeration airflow rates of 0.10 to 0.20 cubic feet per minute per bushel. Successful natural air drying requires not only adequate airflow but also uniform airflow. A perforated floor provides the best airflow distribution in a bin. If ducts are used, they should be placed a distance equal to one-fourth the grain depth from the wall, and one-half the grain depth from each other. More ducts are required for less grain depth since the resistance of deep grain will force air from the ducts to fan out.
For more information about natural air drying request Extension Bulletin 35, "Natural Air--Low Temperature Crop Drying".
Back to Drying - Storage
Menu
Back to Harvest - Storage Menu
Back to Storage Menu
Back to Main ProCrop Index
