How can i store/dry grain?

[jackrussell101]

I'm a livestock farmer and I have no grain store but I do have a shed that is waterproof with good walls and concrete floor.

Is it possible to just use some of those pedestal electric fans to store/dry grain?

What percentage moisture could you get away with at harvest going on like this?

And how many pedestal fans would you need for 150 tonne?

Thanks in advance...

 

[SRRC]

Go to https://www.evansandpearce.com/
Useful guidance about depths and number of pedestals etc
I'm assuming you are using the grain yourself then providing you cool it adequately 16 to 17% MC storage is not an issue. They don't dry grain, the airflow isn't enough.
It may seem an extravagance but an auto fan controller is essential to make the best of cool periods, it'll pay for itself in no time.

 

[jackrussell101]

Go to https://www.evansandpearce.com/
Useful guidance about depths and number of pedestals etc
I'm assuming you are using the grain yourself then providing you cool it adequately 16 to 17% MC storage is not an issue. They don't dry grain, the airflow isn't enough.
It may seem an extravagance but an auto fan controller is essential to make the best of cool periods, it'll pay for itself in no time.

Thanks.

Yes it would be to feed my own beef cattle.

So basically if I was lucky with the weather I wouldn't have to worry too much about drying it? It would be most likely barley so is a drier crop than wheat isn't it?

 

[Andrew K]

Use a couple of the 8 inch three phase pedestals if you want to hold it over 15% MC,the more airflow the better.

 

[SRRC]

If it's winter barley then it's often a July harvest which will usually see better weather than Spring Barley which will be later in August.
You need to recognise that storing grain at over 16/17% is a risk, but if you pay attention to it by regular temperature probing, fan management etc then that risk is small.
Isn't too dry grain an issue if you are rolling it?

 

[Courier]

Have you considered "Crimping" ?

What is grain crimping? | Kelvin Cave Ltd

Grain Crimping is a system developed in Finland that enables farmers to harvest, process and store their own or locally grown cereal and protein grains for use as animal feed when they are at their maximum nutritional value and digestibility.

kelvincave.com

 

[davidroberts30]

or home and dry it?

 

[Courier]

or home and dry it?

Alkaline Feeding Solutions - Home n' Dry

Developed after extensive research and trials over 35 years ago, Home n' Dry is a unique, cost effective, easy to use pellet that enables farmers, nutritionists and feed manufacturers to maximise the potential of their crops, feeds and diets.

www.fivefalka.com

 

[Brisel]

+1 for Evans & Pearce. Other suppliers are available. If you want a bit of drying, I recommend fans that blow rather than suck, or better still ones that you just turn around to do either. 3 phase is best for volume but for anything other than very basic cooling, you want the highest power fans possible. I agree about a controller for the fans.

Drying takes a far higher airflow than cooling, so you will need lots more pedestals if you want to take a % or two out. Make sure that the shed has reasonable ventilation so you are not just recycling warm moist air.

 

[Sprayer 1]

I find barley can warm up more than wheat, especially if it is stacked deep. If you have the room stack it 3 or 4 feet high and open the door each day, but of course not if it is farm assured.

 

[Flat 10]

+1 for Evans & Pearce. Other suppliers are available. If you want a bit of drying, I recommend fans that blow rather than suck, or better still ones that you just turn around to do either. 3 phase is best for volume but for anything other than very basic cooling, you want the highest power fans possible. I agree about a controller for the fans.

Drying takes a far higher airflow than cooling, so you will need lots more pedestals if you want to take a % or two out. Make sure that the shed has reasonable ventilation so you are not just recycling warm moist air.

What you say is right but for 150t on floor in a shed for home feeding? Seems OTT, i think crimping or propcorn would be cheaper and easier. Can't see OPs location but if you can cut sub 16% i wouldn't worry myself. Spread it thin on floor and turn with a handler if it goes in on a hot day?

 

[RAF]

Home and dry end off

 

[Chae1]

I'm a livestock farmer and I have no grain store but I do have a shed that is waterproof with good walls and concrete floor.

Is it possible to just use some of those pedestal electric fans to store/dry grain?

What percentage moisture could you get away with at harvest going on like this?

And how many pedestal fans would you need for 150 tonne?

Thanks in advance...

Propcorn it if all for feed and will keep fine. Higher moisture barley is a better feed in my opinion. Much less dust, fine particles when bruised.

 

[yellow belly]

150 tonnes would need 2 pedestals if deep but 3 if shallow
then blow at night to cool grain
if it’s combine at less than 17 % and you keep it cool you can keep it for 3 to 4 months
get it below 10 deg c and it will keep longer
if you combine it on a hot sunny day the grain can be 30 deg c cooling to 6 deg c could remove more than half a percent

I have differential controllers on pedestals that kick in when the cool air is 5 deg c less than the grain

the higher moisture grain is the cooler it needs to be

in hot countries their moisture requirements are much lower than the uk as once we get cool air in October it is possible to get grain below 10deg c

 

[GrantMo]

Propcorn it if all for feed and will keep fine. Higher moisture barley is a better feed in my opinion. Much less dust, fine particles when bruised.

^this.
Find a good splash of propcorn keeps the mites out of it.
Just get a big bruiser in after it’s cut, should be about £12/tonne for the bruising and another £6-8 for the propcorn depending on moisture. We used to propcorn the whole barley ourselves and then bruise every day through winter with an electric bruiser, would never go back to that again

 

[czechmate]

Thanks.

Yes it would be to feed my own beef cattle.

So basically if I was lucky with the weather I wouldn't have to worry too much about drying it? It would be most likely barley so is a drier crop than wheat isn't it?

Not such a good feed but easier to grow and you will always harvest oats dry.
I grow a full range here and storage is more difficult than the U.K. with the summer heat, the crop that gives me the least storage bother is oats.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

propcorn or crimp will make better feed anyway

 

[HundyMundy]

You could also maxammon the barley which would increase the protein at the same time.