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Grain Aeration
10/7/2002
Ron F. Meyer
Area Extension Agent
(Agronomy)
Colorado State University Extension
Golden Plains
Area |
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Farmers store grain on the farm following harvest for a
number of reasons. Many farmers find it more convenient to store their
production until the press of harvest is past when they will have more time to
haul the grain to market and avoid long lines at the elevator. Farmers
sometimes can add value by drying their grain on the farm prior to delivery.
Typically, local basis (the reduction in local market price compared to the
futures market price) is greatest at harvest due to limited storage space and
the labor crunch at the elevator at harvest time. Following harvest, the local
basis usually (but not always) improves, hopefully providing a net return to
the farmer above storage costs and interest expense.
Storing grain
requires informed and active management. Improper grain storage can result in a
lower quality product, loss of grain mass, and sometimes spoiled or moldy
grain. The two most important factors in grain storage are the grain’s
temperature and moisture content. A farmer has some control over temperature
with aeration and careful attention. With higher airflow rates, moisture also
can be removed.
Airflow rates
Airflow rates as low as 0.1
cubic foot per minute per bushel (cfm/bu) have been successfully used to hold
grain that is at or less than 16% moisture during the cooler part of the year.
Greater airflow rates (0.33 to 0.5 cfm/bu) are recommended to hold grain that
is placed into storage at moisture contents above 17% or grain that goes into
storage above 70 degrees F. The lower cfm/bu airflow rates that are typically
used for aeration can only be expected to keep grain from heating and very
slowly cool grain when air temperatures are cooler than the grain mass. Much
higher airflow rates (2.0 cfm/bu or higher) are needed to remove appreciable
moisture from the grain. For more information on drying grain, refer to
NebGuide G85-760, Natural Air Corn Drying or contact Ron Meyer, Golden
Plains Area Extension Office at (719) 346-5571.
Source: Tom
Dorn, Extension Educator
Lancaster County |
Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
1/16/2003 |
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