Long Term Grain Storage: Options, Tips, And Facts

Long Term Grain Storage Tips For Maximum Yield

In the agriculture industry, you’re in it for the long term—especially if you’re producing grain. The best way to insure longevity in the business is to invest in long-term grain storage solutions. 

Thanks to advancements in agriculture technology, there are several options to choose from. Each one with its benefits. To help you decide, here are some of the most popular long-term grain options you can choose from. 

Long Term Grain Storage Options

The key to ensuring quality, safety, and profits is a top-notch, long-term grain management solution. Here are three popular set-ups fit for those starting and those looking to scale operations. 

Poly Bags

If you’re starting out and don’t have the capital to invest in complex storage systems, polybags are a good choice. But, you only want to use these if you’re in an area with fairly good weather. 

The bags are often woven from plastic which can easily break or get torn apart in harsh conditions. On the plus side, you can recycle these bags or dispose of them just as easily. 

Transporting the bags are faster thanks to grains being split into smaller-manageable bags. You can get large bags that can fit your average joe or you can go for smaller bags you can sell directly on the market. 

However, pests will be your worse nightmare. Wildlife can easily puncture through the bags requiring you to consistently monitor or protect them. 

Maintaining optimal temperature or moisture levels is also an issue. But, the quick solution is storing the bags in quality grain storage. 

Drums And Containers

If you’re running a fairly large operation, then drums and containers (often called bins) are for you. This type of storage can handle large volumes of grain. 

Proper setups of drums and containers can secure your grain for the long haul. They’re made of a strong material such as metal and can be reused for years on end. 

It’s also safer and more suited for high-quality grains that can’t be stored in bags. The metal of these containers also protects them from wildlife, insects, and external elements. 

Installing a grain monitoring system is also easier. You can set up moisture and temperature controls, fans, and sensors with no issues.

However, bins can take up a large chunk of space. If you’re renting land, you’d need to set this up miles away.

And, you’d need to invest a hefty sum of cash upfront. Maintenance and cleaning also need to be considered for every grain storage cycle. 

Buildings And Silos

These are more permanent solutions for long-term storage. You’d often see these built from metal, brick, or even wood. 

Storing feed for livestock would also require a feed storage solution paired with quality silos. You want silos that are robust and provide maximum protection against the elements.

If you invest in a building, you can even store polybags there for added protection. Both buildings and silos offer ease of transport. But, you’d need a permanent location to install these.

Professionals like engineers should also be in charge of designing the structures to handle the weight of the grain.

You’d also need to install temperature and moisture level control. With all that in mind, you can expect a costly setup. 

Long Term Grain Storage Tips

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Having the right storage solution and materials is only half the battle. To ensure the longevity of your grain storage, follow these best practices:

Quality Assess The Grains

Storing quality grain ensures you the most profits. Cracked or damaged grains can reduce the overall yield from your harvest. So, check your grains before storing them. 

Cracks in the grain can become homes for fungus and bacteria. Left unchecked, this could damage your entire batch. 

If you get grains from the store, source them from local farmers and check sell-by dates to ensure you get them fresh. Buying from stores can also be an option. But, be sure to check if the grains have high turnover rates. 

Get Your Drying Right

Before storing your grain, make sure they’re placed in grain drying silos. Conduct weight tests and cross-reference the results with a moisture chart. 

Each type of grain has a different optimal moisture level. So, make sure that you’re at the correct levels for the grain and storage type you plan on using. 

Pick Your Container

The right container is essential for long-term grain storage. For starters, you can try using bulk grain bags as they come in several sizes and are easy to transport.

Modern grain bags are also made with pest-resistant material. All that’s left for you to do is to clean the bags before storing grain. Dirt, dust, or insects left sitting in the container could spoil a fresh batch. 

Prepare Your Bin

Before filling in grain, you need to clean your grain bins. Remove any debris, leftover grain, or insects that might be there from the previous storage. 

Check for hard-to-reach areas that can be insect hiding spots. And, if you’ve encountered an insect infestation, make sure to fumigate your bin. 

Minimize Your Light

Mold needs light to grow. Store your grain in dark or light-proof bins to avoid this. You can make do with low-light areas such as basements or sheds, but temperature and moisture might be something you can’t monitor. 

Check For Pests

As the heat of the summer season approaches, insects come to play. One or two can quickly become an infestation. Check the storage regularly to see if pests have gotten into your storage. 

If you’re planning to store your grain in the late summer, install insect traps. If you find any caught inside, grain needs to be treated. 

Monitor The Moisture

Most grain products will have a lot of water when harvested fresh. If you’re growing grain yourself, be sure that you’re monitoring optimal moisture levels. 

Different grains have different moisture levels. Keeping moisture at optimal levels ensures storage won’t have issues like molds or pests.

Regulate The Temperature

A grain monitoring system can help you maintain grain quality for long-term storage. Remember, grain storage is dynamic. Factors like temperature and moisture change from time to time. Make sure that your storage has good aeration. Install the proper grain drying fans if necessary. 

Long Term Grain Storage Length

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The length you can store grain varies from grain to grain. Here’s a quick guide on how long you can store the most popular grain types:

• Wheat: You can store wheat for 8-12 years in an airtight container with low moisture. 

• Corn: Corn can last for 15 years. Temperature changes shorten this to 10-12 years. 

• Quinoa: In perfect conditions, you can store Quinoa for 20 years. Realistically, you have more or less 8 years. 

• Soft Grains: Oats, rye, and quinoa have a shelf life of 8-20 years depending on the storage quality. 

• Hard Grains: Corn, buckwheat, or flax can be stored for 10-12 years but in perfect conditions can be extended to 30 years or more.

Key Takeaways

Storing grain for the long term can ensure that you get to sell your grain at the most profitable times. But, this will only be possible with the proper preparation, equipment, and monitoring.

So, before thinking of storing your grain, consider the following:

• The most popular long-term storage options are poly bags, storage bins, and silos.

• Assess grain quality before storing.

• Get the proper grain drying equipment and monitoring.

• Store grain in low light to avoid mold growth.

• Always check for pests

• Monitor moisture and temperature. 

Maximize yields today with smart monitoring solutions from Wall Grain! Contact our grain management advisors today!