 |
ProCrop |
Grain Storage Management
When storing clean, sound grain over winter with aeration to keep it cool the recommended maximum moisture content for barley is 14%, corn 15.5%, soybeans 13%, oil sunflower 10%, and wheat 14%. If the kernel is damaged, or of poor quality, the potential for storage problems increases, so the storage moisture content should be reduced about one percentage point.
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.
Grain needs to be monitored by checking the grain temperature and moisture content at several locations and recording the readings. This should be done at least every two weeks until a history of the storage is developed and the grain has been cooled to about 25 degrees for winter storage.
Back to Winter
Storage - Storage Menu
Back to Storage Menu
Back to Main ProCrop Index
