Storing grain safely into summer (and beyond!)

In these uncertain times, farmers with grain still in the bin may be considering storing that grain a bit longer than they’d originally expected.  If you are in that situation, there are a few steps to take which will help you store your grain long-term in good condition.

 

 

When it comes to storage, keep grain cool and dry to prevent spoilage.  Diseases, moulds and insects thrive in warm and wet conditions.  For long term storage (longer than 6 months), dry the grain an additional 1-2 points below “normal” storage moisture, to provide additional protection against spoilage.

 

If grain is slightly wetter than desired, an aeration fan can be used effectively for small amounts of drying.  A commercial grain dryer may not be practical or efficient to remove a small amount of moisture.  Drying depends on the outdoor air conditions.  Using the Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) chart for the correct grain (see table 2 for Corn), look up the outdoor temperature and humidity, and find the corresponding grain moisture level.  You can also use BINcast, which is an online tool.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.