Keeping grains longer also means keeping their quality longer.
As a general rule, grain prices rise as time passes. This phenomenon is explained by a “market premium” for storing grain at a later date, when buyers really need it.
However, there are exceptions every 10 to 15 years, when average prices do not follow this trend, as in 2024. That's why grain marketing experts will always tell you to have a long-term vision and marketing plan, and to stick to it!
For the 2024 harvest, we're betting that the upward trend will be back. But be careful! Storage carries risks!
Risk to watch out for this year: an abundant, dry harvest
History repeats itself, so let's remember the mistakes of the past. In 2020, harvest conditions were exceptional: dry grain, warm weather and a bumper crop. Yet more growers experienced storage problems that year.
Why did this happen? Because:
Hot temperatures during drying and uncooled bins after harvest.
Abundant harvesting, with full, static grain centers, preventing rotation of storage bins.
Dry grain at harvest gives false confidence for storage.
As a result, the hot, dry grain generated condensation in the bins and crusting formed on the surface. This created problems in the bin: blocked discharge augers, heated grain, downgraded grain lots and many headaches!
This year, to protect your harvest income, adopt safe storage practices. Not only will you protect your income, but you'll also maximize your profitability by :
Harvest your grain sooner rather than later:
As soon as the corn is below 24% moisture or 3-4 days after a killing frost.
To save drying costs and yield losses in the field.
Adjusting your drying temperature:
For a bin dryer: balance the temperature in the plenum.
For a continuous dryer: adjust your temperature to maximize your grain weight.
Cooling your grain as it leaves the dryer:
For a 200-400 tm bin: 30 to 50 hours of ventilation.
For a 1000 tm to 2000 tm bin: 50 to 150 hours of ventilation.
To calculate your cooling time, see our blog post.
Avoiding the risk of heated grain by:
Removing your silo cores (<= Super important!)
Inspecting your silos regularly in the first few weeks to detect any storage problems.
Standardizing grain moisture by ventilating according to hygrometric charts.
Cooling your grain gradually:
Cool your grains in increments of 5 degrees Celsius.
To ensure optimum preservation and avoid problems of condensation and heated grain.
Focusing on early detection:
An increase in grain respiration activity generates more CO2 due to water infiltration into the bin, heating of the grain, or the presence of insects or rodents in your bin. That's why monitoring CO2 levels with probes is an effective way of protecting the value of yohttps://www.aleop.ca/en/ur harvest.
Did you know?
Our drying and storage guide is packed with tools to help you improve your drying and storage techniques. Order it for free!
Aleop and agrilog combine their expertise to maximize your results and prepare for the coming year with confidence. Make better-informed decisions tailored to your reality. Simplify the administration of your company's finances and save time by automating your accounting.
Would you like to maximize your profits while minimizing the risks associated with market uncertainties? Read on for Aleop's article.