• Storage of clean grain is important as clean grain helps in
• Preventing mold and insects.• Improving air distribution through the stored mass and
also during Drying, Aeration or Cooling.
• Ensure that Grain is at the recommended moisture level for storage.
• Before storing, the storage facility should be cleaned thoroughly.
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Good Storage Practice
Grain Aeration Basics
Why Aerate Grain
Aeration is the practice of moving air through stored grain to reduce the rate of grain deterioration and prevent storage losses. Spoilage in stored grain is caused by mold growth and insect activity, which is related to the moisture content and temperature of the stored grain. Aeration greatly improves the "storability" of grain by maintaining a cool, uniform temperature throughout the storage to reduce mold development and insect activity and to prevent moisture migration.
Why Aerate Grain?
• To condition the dry grain• Conditioned grain
Less mold/fungi growthLess insect activityManaged moistureManaged heat
• Improves chances of successful long term storage
Why Aerate Grain?
• Because grain is alive– If planted, it will grow– It lives & breathes– It gives up moisture– It absorbs moisture– It will not be harmed by cold temperatures, but it
can be harmed by too much heat
Why Aerate Grain?
Because •Aeration equalizes moisture
•Aeration equalizes temperature
•Control insect environment
Moisture Content
13% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Storage AirTemperature(F) (C)
80.6 °75.2 °69.8 °64.4 °60.8 °55.4 °50.0 °44.6 °39.2 °35.6 °
450
780
1410
2520
4500
871161552072503374667259061140
12.116.121.527.035.048.075.094.0118.0
4.35.87.89.612.514.027.034.042.0
2.63.54.65.87.510.016.020.025.0
27 °24 °21 °18 °16 °13 °10 ° 7 ° 4 ° 2 °
Safe Storage Period (Days)
Shelled corn Soybeans Wheat and barley Sunflowers
Short term 15.5% 13% 14% 11%
One year 14 12 13 10
Long term 13 11 13 9
Storage moisture Vs Storage Period
Warm Weather Effects
Warm Air Warm Air
ColdGrain
ColdGrainW
arm
Air
War
m A
ir
War
m G
rain
War
m G
rain
Col
d A
ir S
ettle
s
Spring & Summer
• Moisture migration
Cool Weather Effects
Cool Air
WarmGrain
WarmGrain
Col
d A
ir S
ettle
sC
old
Gra
in
Col
d G
rain
War
m A
ir R
ises
Fall & Winter
Cool Air
Moisture migration
Aeration Solution
• During Silo Filling draw out some grain from silo couple of times center to make cone in grain
Aeration Problem
• Spoiled grain on silo wall
• Keep grain temperature near average ambient air temperature to avoid condensation on walls
When to Aerate
• When grain and outside air temperature not more than 90 C difference
• Before 7 AM or After 7 PM.• Aerate to maintain uniform temperature in
the silo• When you start - you must finish!
Successful Grain Storage
• Check grain temperatures weekly
• Aerate grain to remove possible “Hot” spots
• Aerate grain to maintain uniform temperature in the silo
• Aerate grain to prevent insects infestations
5400 East Broadway AvenueP.O. Box 11215
Spokane, Washington 99211-1215, USAToll Free +1.800.224.0676
Telephone +1.509.535.1571Fax: +1.509.535.9130
Email: [email protected]: www.SCAFCO.com