Preparing Grain Bins and Flat Storages Prior to Harvest or Incoming Product Storage

Introduction

Protecting grain in storage is a key management process to maintain the quality of grain and result in the best economic gain and the safest working environment. Grain with insect damage, mold, damaged seeds and kernels and off odors pose many hazards to workers around storage facilities. Many of the quality indicators are also reflected in lower grain grades at marketing time, impacting profit. Therefore, it pays to take every precaution to preserve grain quality. There are steps that can be taken even before the grain is harvested to ensure quality.

 

Facility Preparation

The smallest amount of moldy grain, old grain, insect-infested grain or trash can contaminate the freshly harvested grain coming into storage. It is essential to clean all equipment that will be in contact with new grain. Remove old grain, trash and dust from combines and combine headers, trucks, grain carts, augers, driers, pits, bins and any other equipment used to handle or transport the grain.

 

Grain will be in contact with the bin for a long period of time. Therefore, that’s when the greatest amount of damage may happen. Sanitation of this area is very important and is worth the time to do extensive maintenance and preparation. Remove grain and dust from walls, floors, grates, doors, door ledges, ladders, steps, hollow tubes and channels. Vacuum or brush all surfaces thoroughly. Remove all dust and debris from fans, exhausts, aeration ducts and under slotted floors as much as possible. Dispose of debris away from the storage facility and in a lawful manner. Removing this debris from the premises makes certain insect activity does not return to the storage area from this material.

 

Insects harbor in grass and weeds on the outside of storage bins, particularly if spilled grain has collected there. Keeping grass cut to a minimum length is an important step in preventing the insects from moving inside the grain bins. Bare dirt or gravel is preferred next to a bin. Grass may attract insects. No matter what the surface, spilled and residual grain must be removed and disposed of, or the problem will only multiply.

 

Maintenance

Once the equipment and area has been cleaned, conduct a thorough inspection for leaks or areas where moisture can enter the bin. Caulk or repair any suspicious areas. It is also a good time to check belts, bearings, belt alignment, safety shields and guards, temperature cables and electronic equipment. Electrical cords, connections and cables must be inspected for mouse damage, corrosion, frayed wires or bare areas in wiring. Corroded connections can cause malfunction of electrical equipment and can be hard to locate later on. Thorough inspection and repairs now can save time and money later. Test all aeration fans. If repairs and replacements need to be made, there is time for the contractor or sales company to make these adjustments before the aeration system at harvest time is needed.

 

Insecticide Application

After the sanitation and maintenance steps have been completed, insecticides for empty-structure treatments can be wise investments. If there are areas that are hard to clean, such as under perforated flooring, these insecticides can be very helpful in controlling insect activity. If there is a history of insect problems in a structure, these treatments can be helpful to break the cycle of infestation. It is best to give empty structure treatments two weeks to work before loading with grain. Allow at least 24 hours for liquid sprays to dry before loading the grain. More time–up to two weeks–is the best schedule. Perimeter sprays can reduce infestation entry from outside the structure. A heavily infested structure may require insecticide fumigation before treatments will help. Insecticide fumigation generally uses phosphine gas and must be applied by certified fumigation specialists that are licensed in your state. After these initial infestations are controlled and sanitation and maintenance steps have been completed, the empty structure sprays can do the job as protectants and prevention. Tables 1 and 2 show a list of insecticides approved for empty structure treatments and perimeter sprays.

 

Table 1. Insecticides for Empty Grain Bins and Flat Storages.

 

Table 2. Insecticides for Perimeters of Structures.

^a Although the label states treat band up to 10 feet, the Oklahoma minimum standards for pesticides restricts application use up to 3 feet from the structure on a porous substrate such as bare ground, gravel or turf. Do not use this product on concrete or asphalt around the structure.

 

It is the law to read the labels and follow instructions on the insecticide containers. These change from time to time, so reading the label every time insecticides are used is important. It is important to check with the buyer of the grain, especially in specialty crops, to make sure they do not have restrictions on insecticide use on the commodities they buy.

 

Be sure to use insecticides as they are intended, within their expiration date and as the label instructs. It is especially important is to wear personal protective equipment as instructed on the label when mixing and applying insecticides. Never leave insecticides in the vicinity or reach of children or people not trained in insecticide use and application.

 

Harvest and Handling Tips

Paying close attention to details during harvest and in handling the grain can help preserve grain quality and storage success. Do not load new grain on top of old grain. Broken kernels and trashy grain are highly susceptible to insect and mold attacks. Make sure combines are set correctly to reduce trash and damaged seeds. Have grain cleaned prior to loading it into the bin, if necessary. If fines and broken seeds must be removed once the grain is in the bin, coring of the bin can be useful. Coring brings the small particles in the middle out through the unloading system to be disposed of or distributed more evenly back into the bin. Removing fines makes aeration systems work more efficiently and breaks up insect-infested trouble areas. Never load a grain bin past the sidewall height and level the top surface as much as possible. Use a spreader, if available, or core the bin to reduce the center peak height. Bins filled to the peak have more condensation problems, poor aeration distribution, greater potential for insect infestation, are more difficult to fumigate and are hard to monitor….not too mention the possible instability and damage to the bin.

 

Safety

Safety is important around all agricultural machinery and structures. All workers should know how to de-energize  and turn off equipment and should be trained in the proper use of equipment. Proper protective equipment must be worn. Fire extinguishers must be close by and functioning. An emergency number should be available at all times and the location of the number should be known by all workers. When workers can react quickly and call for help efficiently, lives are saved.

 

While preparing facilities is essential for successful storage, so is worker safety training. Combining facility preparation with proper training will make harvest and storage time more profitable and much safer for everyone involved. One tragic accident can take away the success of a harvest and storage year.

 

Information on safety training is available through your county Extension offices and through the Stored Products Research and Education Center at Oklahoma State University.

 

Carol L Jones, PhD, PE
Stored Products Engineering Associate Professor

 

Edmond L. Bonjour
Extension Entomologist for Stored Products