Storing grain: moisture, temperature, pests

In short

• Grain for storage holds no more than 13–14 % moisture, seed 12–13 %. Above 14 % the risk grows week by week.
• Below 15 °C (59 °F) insects barely breed, and below 10 °C (50 °F) they almost stop. That's why grain is cooled in autumn and kept in the shade in summer.
• Dry grain in damp air takes up water again. The air in the store should be below roughly 65–70 % relative humidity.
• Before storing: clean store, clean grain, cooled grain, and never old and new grain in the same container.
• Inspection: weekly in the first month, monthly in winter, every two weeks in summer. Nose, hand, sieve and thermometer.

What's inside

Chapters

1. What grain needs in store
2. Grain moisture and air humidity
3. Temperature and moisture migration
4. Who eats your stock
5. Mould in store
6. Before storing: clean, dry, cool
7. Where to keep grain
8. Inspecting the stock
9. When something is wrong
10. Safety in the store
11. Common mistakes
12. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Store assessment
• Loss and stock value calculator
• Measurement log
• Store map
• Store calendar
• Lot labels