National Grain & Feed Association and Grain Journal

August 1, 2012

GRAIN QUALITY

Best Management Practices

For Temporary Ground Piles

GRAIN QUALITY

Plans, Choices, Changes • Plans – Which grain will be stored?

• Plans – When to pile? • Plans – How long will the grain be stored • Plans - Monitoring Quality • Choices – Grade Factors – Moisture, Damage • Choices – Temporary, Emergency? • Choices – Aeration – more/less, push/pull • Changes – Harvest Conditions, Market

changes, What are consequences when plans change? Moisture, Temperature, Aeration, Time

GRAIN QUALITY

Moisture, Temperature, Aeration, Time • Plans – Store Corn, beginning at harvest

• Plans – Store corn for 2-3 months

• Choices – New crop - moisture 15.0 – 17.0%

• Choices – Temporary in Bunker

• Choices – Aeration – negative to hold tarp

• Changes – Harvest is 3 weeks early, harvest temperatures 90 – 100 degrees, forecasts include chances of rain

Grain Quality - Outcome

Grain Quality - Outcome

Grain Quality – Plans, Choices Moisture, Temperature, Aeration,

Time

Licensed Temporary Moisture 15-16% Negative air – center air plenum

Licensed Emergency Moisture – 16-17.5% Pushing air from perimeter fans/ducts

Grain Quality – Site Preparation

Grain Quality – Site Preparation

Grain Quality – Bunker Preparation

• Sanitation

• Surfaces, drainage

• Wall placement

• Aeration placement

• Power supply, back-up power supply

• Tarp staging, supplies

Grain Quality – Site Preparation

Grain Quality – Circle Preparation

• Sanitation

• Surfaces, drainage

• Aeration placement

• Power supply, back-up power supply

• Tarp placement and temporary means to secure tarp from blowing

Grain Quality – Filling Space Avoiding Weather Event Losses

• Circles – Post fill tarp placement or in-place tarp lifted as filling

occurs – Post fill tarp placement – fill quickly and avoid moisture

events – In-place tarp – fill at controlled pace, need to control the

tarp during windy conditions

• Bunkers – Fill quickly, avoid moisture event – Avoid wind events, tarp control, emissions – Tarp in segments

Grain Quality – Securing the Pile

• Add aeration ducting over the grain pile

• Tarp fastening, controlling tarp edges

• Tarp control – Web Net

• Tarp strapping, placing weight materials to hold down the tarp

• Back-up power supply

• Installing temperature cables

• Perimeter sanitation, rodent control

Grain Quality

Grain Quality - Aeration

Grain Quality – Aeration, Tarp

Grain Quality – Covering Pile

Grain Quality – Covering Pile Integra Web Net

Grain Quality Monitoring

• Monitor fan exhausts – CO2, Humidity, Odor, temperature

• Monitor grain temperature • Monitor pile surface temperature – IR camera • Probe sample and grade

– Send samples to lab for mold testing - – Aspergillus glaucus – Aspergillus flavus – Aspergillus niger – Aspergillus terreus – Penicillium – Fusarium

Grain Quality Monitor/Act

• Reacting to changing grain condition

• Altering air flow

• Ventilating warm spots

• Reclaiming the grain

Grain Quality – Reclaim Water Leaks at Seams

Center Air Tower – Custom Design

Lemar - Center Air Flow

Grain Quality - Summary

• Planning – economics require maintaining grain condition, include monitoring grain condition in plans

• Choices – base decisions on proven practices and known science.

• Changes – markets, crop condition, weather before and during piling, be prepared to adapt

• Take Action throughout the process from preparation to final reclaim