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When using nontraditional grain storage options, exercise extra care with quality
 


By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

FRANKFORT, Ky. — If predictions from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) are accurate, corn production will likely reach record levels in 2014 while soybeans are expected to increase by 19 percent over the 2013 crop.
While big yields are what producers strive for, this year’s big crops may cause problems when it comes time to store all that grain – prompting growers to look at alternative storage means.
Most farms don’t contain enough conventional on-farm storage to handle a good crop. Producers generally rely on the farm structures to hold grain during the early part of the harvest and then use local grain elevators later on. One thing that will hamper corn growers this year is old corn still in some storage bins.
The latest Grain Stocks report released by NASS noted: “There were 1.24 billion bushels of old crop corn in all positions as of Sept. 1, up 50 percent from the same time last year. Of the total stocks, 462 million bushels of corn were stored on farms and 774 million bushels were stored off the farm, up 68 and 42 percent from the prior year, respectively.”
This year the corn crop is estimated to be 215 million bushels, while soybeans are expected to come in at 77.7 million. According to information from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, producers west of Hopkinsville (western Kentucky) and east of Bowling Green in the south are reporting near-record yields in corn and soybeans.
Sam McNeill, UK extension agricultural engineer, said if alternative storage methods are used, such as machinery sheds, reinforced silos or grain bags, producers need to make sure the quality of the grain is preserved.
“Seeing impressive numbers on a yield monitor is satisfying, but the job isn’t really done until grain has passed grade at the elevator and is sold,” he pointed out. “The diligence spent scouting fields during the growing season should transfer over to managing grain during storage.”
McNeill said the problem will especially be a concern where production is good but storage is low, such as areas east of Lexington, which is located in the central part of Kentucky. For those in the south-central part of the state, the problem of storage should not be as prevalent because production numbers were less than expected, he said.
“Production is kind of expanding in the north-central part of the state, having more acres this year of corn and soybeans, and the weather in most of the state has been favorable to produce an abundant crop,” he said.
Conventional methods of storage in these areas where production has been plentiful will be stressed. “We’re going to have to scramble a little bit to find a place to put it, at least in the short run, because price is low and the harvest is abundant and usually with that scenario, you’ll want to store some of it.”
When using an alternative storage method, producers will need to take precautions to make sure the quality of the grain remains intact. Some things to consider in using alternative storage are if it can keep out animals, rodents and insects; if the structure is reinforced enough to safely hold the contents; and if the grain can remain dry.
McNeill said it is important to know the moisture content and temperature of the grain going into certain systems. Ideally 14 percent moisture content in corn should be the goal if it is to be held in flat storage, silos or bags through February. Soybeans should be stored at 12 percent moisture content for that same period, according to information from UK.
McNeill also said flat storage, such as in a shed, might be the first alternative to look at if there is not enough conventional storage available. Second would be an outdoor pile that would need to be covered and ventilated, as well as having a solid base that will keep moisture away.
Large storage bags are another alternative, although there is not the option of putting in a ventilation system – but grain going in should be dry and cool, said McNeill. Special equipment is also needed to use this method of storage.
To learn more about storing crop in bins or alternative structures, contact the UK Cooperative Extension Service or visit Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering’s grain storage website at www.bae.uky.edu/ext/Grain_Storage/ default.shtm
10/23/2014