Hi, this is Chuck Burr, your University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension Educator serving Phelps and Gosper Counties and the surrounding area. The month of August has been cooler than normal, which tells us that fall is in the air. With cyclical grain prices many producers will store as much grain as possible and grain storage space may be tight. One thing all grain producers ought to be doing is preparing bins and equipment to avoid problems at harvest.
The first goal should be to store sound, clean and dry grain. Storage insects often get started in the grain dust and broken kernels and fines. Fines also restrict airflow through the grain mass and make it harder to uniformly dry the grain and regulate temperature with aeration.
If possible, screen out broken kernels, trash and fines to increase the quality of the final storage product. If screening is not possible, consider overfilling round bins initially, then removing a load or two of grain with the center unloading auger to pull some of the fines out of the center of the bin. This also has the advantage of leaving the grain surface nearly level.
Because stored grain insects can invade new grain from infested harvesting and handling equipment, it’s essential that equipment be well cleaned before harvest. Remove all traces of old grain from any equipment used for harvesting, transporting and handling grain. Even small amounts of moldy or insect-infested grain left in equipment can contaminate a new bin grain. Next, clean grain bins thoroughly, disposing of spilled, cracked and broken grain and grain flour, along with insects feeding on such material. A simple broom and vacuum cleaner are essential pieces of equipment in cleaning grain bins.
Never put new grain on top of old grain because of the risk of infesting the new grain with storage insects and mold organisms. If infested grain is purchased for livestock feed, store it away from the new crop and feed it as soon as possible.
Grain bins require a solid foundation to bear weight. A 9,000 bushel bin is supporting over half a million pounds of grain besides a concrete pad and the weight of the bin itself. Be sure to remove old equipment, junk, clutter and tall weeds to reduce attractiveness to mice and rats, which like to burrow under the bin foundation. Control rodents with bait or traps as necessary. Regrade the site if necessary so water can readily drain away from bin foundations.
It’s hard to wait for soil to dry before loading or unloading grain from bin sites. Make certain travel lanes have enough rock or gravel to bear the weight of heavy trucks and grain carts when the soil is wet.
Mice often nest in control boxes where they are protected from predators. They can strip insulation from wires for nest material, and their urine sometimes causes corrosion on relays and other electrical components. If rodent damage is found, clean and repair or replace damaged wiring, relays and other electrical equipment. Seal knock outs and other openings that may permit rodent entry.
Fans, heaters and ducts should be checked for corrosion and other damage. Remove any accumulated dust and dirt that may reduce operating efficiency, and be sure all connections are tight to prevent air leaks that can reduce operating efficiency.
Once empty bins have been thoroughly cleaned, a residual insecticide treatment may be applied to bin surfaces to protect incoming grain from insect infestation.
If the bin has a raised drying floor and was known to be infested with grain storage insects last season, consider hiring a professional pest control operator to fumigate the empty bin prior to filling with new grain.
A little time spent now will insure your are protecting your grain for the coming year.
