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Relevance of Grain Aeration Valuable Grain Management Tool Good Storage Practice • 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. www.SCAFCO.com 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. Grain Enemies • • • • Insects Mold and Fungi Moisture Heat Why Aerate Grain? • To condition the dry grain • Conditioned grain Less mold/fungi growth Less insect activity Managed moisture Managed 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 - Temperature - Storage Capability Temperature ºC40 ºF 30 20 10 Moisture Safe Storage Period (Days) Storage Air Temperature (F) (C) 80.6 ° 75.2 ° 69.8 ° 64.4 ° 60.8 ° 55.4 ° 50.0 ° 44.6 ° 39.2 ° 35.6 ° 27 ° 24 ° 21 ° 18 ° 16 ° 13 ° 10 ° 7° 4° 2° Moisture Content 13% 450 780 1410 2520 4500 15% 20% 25% 30% 87 116 155 207 250 337 466 725 906 1140 12.1 16.1 21.5 27.0 35.0 48.0 75.0 94.0 118.0 4.3 5.8 7.8 9.6 12.5 14.0 27.0 34.0 42.0 2.6 3.5 4.6 5.8 7.5 10.0 16.0 20.0 25.0 Storage moisture Vs Storage Period 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 Warm Weather Effects • Moisture migration Warm Air Cold Grain Warm Grain Warm Air Cold Grain Cold Air Settles Warm Air Warm Grain Warm Air Spring & Summer Cool Weather Effects Moisture migration Warm Grain Fall & Winter Cold Grain Warm Grain Warm Air Rises Cool Air Cold Air Settles Cold Grain Cool Air Why Aerate Grain? • To equalize moisture migration Aeration Problem • Center “fines” • Fines material in grain gather in the center of the silo Aeration Solution • During Silo Filling draw out some grain from silo couple of times center to make cone in grain Aeration Problem • Dirty aeration tunnels • Plugged floor perforations • Obstructed roof vents Aeration Solution • Clean silo tunnels, ducts, floors, and roof vents before filling silo Aeration Problem • Over filling silo Aeration Solution • Don’t overfill the silo! 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 Avenue P.O. Box 11215 Spokane, Washington 99211-1215, USA Toll Free +1.800.224.0676 Telephone +1.509.535.1571 Fax: +1.509.535.9130 Email: [email protected] Web: www.SCAFCO.com