On-Farm Grain Storage Is It Your Weakest Link?

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1 On-Farm Grain Storage Is It Your Weakest Link? James Dyck, OMAFRA Engineering Specialist, Crop Systems and Environment FarmSmart Guelph

2 Ontario Grain Storage by the Numbers On-Farm Storage ,750,000 tonnes ,439,000 tonnes Commercial Storage 4,200,000 tonnes 5,887,000 tonnes Growth 3.4x 1.4x Data source: Agricorp, Statistics Canada, OABA 2

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5 Deliver Price Corn* *or beans, wheat, etc Max. At 5

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7 The of Grain Storage You can t IMPROVE grain quality in the bin but you CAN make it worse 7

8 Storage Quality Factors 8

9 How Wet is Too Wet? Maximum recommended moisture contents for safe storage Source: NDSU Publ. AE701 Grain ing 9

10 Allowable Storage Time Spoils faster Spoils slower Source: NDSU 10

11 Allowable Storage Time Spoils faster Spoils slower Source: USDA Research, Iowa State University; Transactions of ASAE

12 Allowable Storage Time Spoils faster Spoils slower Source: NDSU 12

13 Tweaking ing Temperature Measure harvest test weight Set plenum temperature, begin drying Measure dried test weight Reduce plenum temperature 10 F Measure dried test weight again If test weight increasing reduce 10 F When dried test weight doesn t change increase plenum temp 10 F GOAL: Slower drying = HIGHER QUALITY Source: John Gnadke, Advanced Grain Systems Inc

14 Fines 14

15 Coring Bins Fines collect in centre What to do with fines: Feed Sell Source: University of Minnesota 15

16 ? Bin Flow SHORT (H < 1.5x W) TALL (H > 1.5x W) HOPPER 16

17 ing Grain Size separation Screener-Scalpers Vibratory Rotary Gravity Drag-Scalpers Density separation Aspirators 17

18 Fines Production Rule of thumb: For every 2-3% increase in damaged kernels, 0.5% weight is lost. Corn average: 0.5% breakage per elevation 18

19 Grain Breakage MORE High speeds High drop heights Small spouts High-temp-dried Colder Very dry LESS Slow speeds Low drop heights Large spouts Low-temp-dried Warmer Wetter *** 19

20 How much do you handle your grain? 20

21 Why? REMOVE field heat EQUALIZE MOISTURE in the bin PREVENT CONVECTIVE AIR MOVEMENT within the grain mass CRITICAL to long-term storage 21

22 Equilibrium Moisture Content the moisture level grain will reach when exposed to air at a certain temperature and relative humidity 22

23 EMC Chart Corn Target: 15.5% moisture Air Temperature ( C) EMC (% wet basis) at Relative Humidity 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

24 EMC Chart Soybeans Target: 13% moisture Air Temperature ( C) EMC (% wet basis) at Relative Humidity 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

25 EMC Chart Soft Winter Wheat Target: 14% moisture Air Temperature ( C) EMC (% wet basis) at Relative Humidity 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

26 EMC Chart Hard Winter Wheat Target: 14% moisture Air Temperature ( C) EMC (% wet basis) at Relative Humidity 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

27 BINcast 10-day forecasts of air temperature, relative humidity and EMC Answer the age-old question: When do I turn on my fan??? 27

28 BINcast 28

29 BINcast 29

30 Fan Control Options Computerized 30

31 Fan Control Options Humidistat 31

32 Fan Control Options Timer 32

33 Convective Air Cold Weather 33

34 Convective Air Warm Weather 34

35 Time Needed to Change Grain Temp. Airflow Rate Grain Cooling Time (hrs.) L/s/m³ cfm/bu Fall Winter Spring / / / / / / / every time the average outdoor temperature changes 8-10 C 35

36 Understand fan airflow CFM = cubic feet per minute L/s = litres per second Fan HP Static pressure (inches of water column) ,300 4,500 3,800 3,400 3, ,500 8,900 7,700 6,700 6,000 7 ½ 12,000 11,300 10,400 9,400 8,600 36

37 Understand static pressure U-tube manometer 37

38 Bin Fan Selector Tool Input: Grain type Bin size Desired airflow (CFM/bu) Fan size (if known) Output: Required fan size Estimated static pressure Estimated Fan HP Airflow at various depths 38

39 Bin Fan Selector Tool 39

40 Bin Fan Selector Tool 40

41 to prevent insect problems Adapted from Dr. Kenneth Hellevang P.E., North Dakota State University Extension Service 41

42 bins OFTEN Check bins REGULARLY, minimum monthly Use your EYES to evaluate the grain Colour: bright (not dusty or dull) Moisture on the underside of the bin roof? Signs of insects? Use your NOSE to pick up off odours Check static pressure below the aeration floor Keep WRITTEN RECORDS of inspections 43

43 ing tools 44

44 Catching grain bugs 45

45 Catching grain bugs 46

46 Catching grain bugs 47

47 Seeing insects in the grain when you are loading the truck may be TOO LATE to do anything 48

48 Common stored grain insects Indian meal moth* Rusty grain beetle* Granary weevil Lesser grain borer Grain lice Grain mites * Malathion resistant! 49

49 Found a bug? Not sure what it is? Eight common insect pests Insect identification tool 50

50 your value stuff happens Have a backup plan. 51

51 Production Insurance (Agricorp) only during the period from seeding or planting until harvest loss or damage due to storage conditions is not insured. 52

52 Produce Insurance (private) Extension of farm insurance Covers crop in transport, storage from harvest to point of sale Named perils vs broad coverage 53

53 Named Perils (example) Fire Lightning Explosion Smoke Windstorm Hail Riot Earthquake Building collapse Flood Collision / derailment / upset Impact by vehicle Theft What s missing?? Vandalism - insects - poor management 54

54 yourself No loose clothing Safety boots Safety glasses Hard hat Gloves Hearing protection Respirator Lock out / tag out Safety harness & tether Bin entry protocol Whistle Cell phone BIN BUDDY 55

55 Force to free 160-lb person from waistdeep grain: Human pulling force: 56

56 Summary Deliver Corn At Max. Price» grain to preserve it from spoilage» Core bins to remove fines» to maintain bin conditions» to avoid problems developing» value with insurance You can t IMPROVE grain quality in the bin work to maintain the quality you have. Thank you! (905) james.dyck@ontario.ca 57