Temperature fluctuations outside can lead to temperature and moisture issues in stored grain

March 29, 2017

It is widely understood that the quality of grain coming out of storage is never going to be better than the quality of that grain going into storage. For some that stored 2016 corn, Diplodia and other ear molds ensured that grain quality going into storage was not of ideal quality. Fluctuating air temperatures this winter and spring has the potential to cause moisture or hot-spots to develop in stored grain. As stored grain is the biological equivalent of stored cash, it is essential to periodically take a look at just how well this vital resource is holding up. Mitigating measures up to and including marketing deteriorating grain can only be employed with a good idea of any problems that exist regarding the quality of grain in storage.

Of potential use to folks:
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers with the University of Tennessee Extension put out a very detailed document that summarizes their recommendations for best management practices for stored grain entitled, "Maintaining Quality in On-Farm Stored Grain".