Modern Grain Storage: Overview, Types, and Advantages

Grain Storage Solutions for the Modern Farmer

Grain storage is a necessity following the grain drying process. For many farmers, this happens off-site at commercial premises nearby (or sometimes even far afield). This is often a costly process both in terms of time and finances. That’s why more and more farmers are designing systems of grain storage on their own farms.

Modern Grain Storage: Why It’s Important

Grain farming is, by its very nature, a seasonal business. However, with the right modern grain storage solution, grain can be harvested, treated, and stored throughout the whole year. More and more farmers are choosing to store the grain themselves on their own land rather than relying on commercial storage.

Better Control Over Harvest and Crops

Storage bins give farmers extended control over when and where they can sell their crop. That gives substantially more flexibility during unstable market times. When storing on-farm, farmers can spread cash sales and deliveries across the year rather than all at once, plus they can secure futures contracts to guarantee future sales. This helps with profitability but also gives greater control over their supply where they can choose the best buyer and delivery method that best suits them. 

Improved Profits

Grain storage leads to improved profits. The market challenges presented by grain farming are significant, on-farm grain storage helps to mitigate the risks and challenges substantially. Selling at harvest time means selling at low prices in a market where supply can outstrip demand. On-farm storage allows farmers to hold their grain until it becomes profitable to sell. This stabilizes income and reduces transportation costs (where previously farmers might have resorted to selling far from their location).

Reduce Losses from Unpredictable Weather

Modern storage bins protect grain harvest from the elements year-round. Once successfully stored the grain is protected and kept at a constant temperature to best preserve it, regardless of the inclement conditions outside. Grain bins give farmers the chance to harvest earlier in the season for longer periods of the day, meaning less crop loss due to the weather. 

Grain Storage Risks

Although grain storage comes with significant benefits, it is not without its own risks. These risks can often be reduced or mitigated, but they remain risks nonetheless.

Mold and Mycotoxins

Mold and mycotoxins can cause major damage to grains when they are stored, plus they pose a potential health hazard to both humans and animals if consumed. Mold grows on grain in warm and humid conditions. It reduces the nutritional value and quality of the grain while spreading rapidly. Mycotoxins are substances created by mold, they’re toxic to both humans and animals.

Proper handling and storage practices can deter and stop mold from growing on grains. Maintaining a constant appropriate temperature, carrying out regular inspections, and removing any contaminated grains rapidly all helps.

Biodeterioration

Biodeterioration of grain happens during storage due to the activities of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and insects. Biodeterioration harms the quality of the grain and can lead to the creation of mold and mycotoxins as outlined above. When the grain has undergone a process of biodeterioration it can develop an off-flavor, produce odors, and loses significant nutritional value.

Pests

Pests like to benefit from the stored grain as a source of sustenance and food. Not only are pests unhygienic, but they, if left to their own devices, will eat all of the grain that is meant to be sold for profit. Pest control (in any variety) is the best option to keep the grain safe, alongside secure, effective grain storage.

Source: Canva

Modern Grain Storage Types

Grain storage comes in a variety of styles and sizes. The tower, bunker, and bag silos are the most typically seen.

Tower Silos

Tall, cylindrical structures, tower silos are usually made of concrete or steel. They are designed to be airtight (or with specific ventilation) to prevent moisture from entering and spoiling the stored grain. Grains are often loaded from the top of the silo using a bucket lift.

They’re a cost-effective storage solution due to their smaller footprint and large holding volume. The majority of tower silos are easy to maintain but require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the grains are kept in optimum condition.

Bunker Silos

Bunker silos are large, low-lying structures that are usually made out of concrete and can often be largely underground. Grain is loaded into bunker silos using conveyor systems. These silos are popular with farmers due to their low cost and simplicity. They are relatively straightforward to construct and maintain but do take up a large amount of space making them a less efficient option compared to the tower silo. 

Bunker silos also tend to suffer more from pests and moisture as the grain is stored at ground level.

Bag Silos

Bag silos are large, flexible bags or containers that are often made of plastic or fabric. The greatest advantage of bag silos is the flexibility of position. The grains can be easily moved from location to location using machinery bag by bag. They’re far cheaper than fixed silo options, relatively easy to maintain, and can easily be cleaned. However, they are not as long-lasting or as durable as large storage facilities. Plus if they tear the grain can be damaged or ruined.

Source: Canva

Grain Storage Silos: Advantages and Disadvantages

There are both advantages and disadvantages to using grain storage silos. Weighing up the risks and benefits is a process all farmers considering using them should go through, as well as considering the management process that runs alongside.

Advantages of Storage Silos

• Efficiency: Depending on the choice of silo, you can store a large amount of grain in a relatively small space.

• Protection: Grain silos are durable and typically airtight, meaning that the grain is protected from both the elements and pests outside. That means preserving grain quality with a high nutritional value.

• Convenience: Storing grain in a silo makes the storage process far easier with a higher degree of accessibility.

• Cost-effective: When compared to the potential increase in profitability for many years to come, silos are a very cost-effective investment.

Disadvantages of Storage Silos

• Space requirements: While the space they take up can be relatively small, it is still space that needs to be used. 

• Maintenance: In order to run efficiently silos will require regular maintenance.

• Limited access: Some silos can be difficult to access, plus they can be dangerous to enter.

• Pests: If pests access a silo it can lead to widespread grain damage and loss of grain.

Key Takeaways

Silos are, overall, an efficient way of storing grain that can lead to a dramatic increase in profits for farms that use them. There are certainly pros and cons to using them, and that is something that should be carefully considered in each case before using them.

• Pick the best silo type depending on your available land, land type, and your available budget.

• There are always risks involved with grain storage, but many of these can be mitigated.

If you’re weighing up grain storage options, contact Wall Grain for free, impartial advice.