I’ve had a few questions this week on cooling grain for winter storage.

Just so happens that our area ag engineer, Shawn Shouse, sent this info below to me yesterday- good timing! I figure with the grain prices, we’ll want to take extra good care of our storage this year, so hopefully the info below will help everyone keep grain in condition.

Shawn says- “Cool Stored Grain”

“Now that winter temperatures are starting to arrive, it is time to manage grain temperatures for winter storage. You can control mold activity and the air currents that can cause moisture migration by cooling stored grain to 30-40 degrees for winter storage in Iowa. Check the grain temperature with a probe thermometer, or turn on aeration fans and measure the temperature of the air leaving the grain. Run the aeration fans when the average outdoor temperature is around 35 degrees. A large drying fan may cool the bin in half a day, while a small aeration fan may require approximately a week. Run the fan continuously until the cooling front moves completely through the grain. Once the grain is cooled, check it weekly for evidence of temperature rise or moldy smell.

For more details, order a copy of “Managing Dry Grain in Storage” AED-20 from Midwest Plan Service.

or check out more post-harvest grain information here.

Thank you, Shawn. Our ISU Area Ag Engineers are a smart bunch, are happy to help.

Keep that grain colder than the Kansas City Chiefs offense, and it should stay in condition for a long time. Sorry, couldn’t resist just one football reference.

As we look at fields throughout the area we see that harvest is nearly wrapped up, NH3 season is going relatively well (yea, it is pulling hard), and a lot of dry fert and lime is going on. Maybe we can all take a short break next week for Thanksgiving to spend some time with our families and friends. Here’s to hoping everyone has a lot to be thankful for, and maybe we can take a little time to think of and give thanks to our troops who can’t be home for Thanksgiving. Have a good holiday, drive safe and eat well.

SOURCE: ISU’s Clarke McGrath

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