Seasonal tips to protect grain quality

May 15, 2025 | Kriss Nelson

With spring’s fluctuating temperatures, careful monitoring of stored grain is crucial, especially for grain remaining in storage during warmer weather.

Ryan Thompson, AGI’s strategic account manager, provided tips on keeping your grain in marketable condition to ensure your safety while storing grain and maximize your ROI.

Managing frozen grain

Thompson says if growers froze their grain in the bin, it is important to start with the proper rewarming process.

Managing frozen grain in the bin requires running fans when the minimum temperature stays above freezing at night.

“Start gradually by running the fans for a short time during the day to introduce warm air, ensuring the ambient air is 10- to 15-degrees warmer than the frozen grain inside the bin,” he says. “Otherwise, there will be a higher risk of condensation by putting too much warm air in, warming it up too quickly.”

Managing non-frozen grain

Grain should be stored at 40- to 50-degrees until it is time to be delivered. Keeping it at this temperature helps to ward off insects and mold growth.

“If growers are holding onto their grain, maintaining that storage temperature could be difficult with warmer outside temperatures,” says Thompson.

Farmers can take advantage of cooler, drier and breezy conditions to help maintain storage conditions. This can be done by running aeration fans during cool nights, helping to lower temperatures.

Thompson says if farmers are planning to deliver grain to meet summer contracts, the temperature will need to be brought up to 60 to 70 degrees closer to the delivery window.

“Warming up the temperatures will help with quality to lessen the chances of the grain shattering,” says Thompson.

Thompson also advises growers to ensure the grain has finished drying down, or if it has become too dry, to add some moisture.

“Identify if you may need to finish off the drying process or, in the case of dry beans, it might be a good time to add some moisture by taking advantage of the spring humidity,” he says. “You can add some water weight by rehydrating soybeans from running fans. Just be sure to check the grain regularly to ensure everything is in good condition.”

Common mistakes

Often, farmers neglect inspecting grain quality.

“Our biggest mistake is doing nothing,” he says. “Assuming whatever you did last fall is still good enough for spring. Install a monitoring system to check the grain physically.”

Thompson says growers can check for odors from rotting grain or use probes to check grain temperature and moisture.

Thompson says to run fans for a purpose, not just because you think you should be doing something.

“You could be costing yourself money by putting hot air into the bin, and you’re further drying corn or soybeans down more than they should,” he says. “Run your fans for a purpose.”

Tips for staying safe

Farmers may have to go into the bin to check the grain physically if a bin does not have a bin monitoring system.

“Do everything you can to avoid entering the bin at all costs,” says Thompson.

However, if a farmer must enter the bin, Thompson advises following these guidelines:

• Use a five-point harness that is properly tied off to avoid falling and entrapment

• Have at least one other person present while checking bins

• Turn off all power to the bin to ensure there is no chance the unloading auger can be turned on.

Grain bin maintenance

Grain bin maintenance is best done during summer when bins are empty.

Thompson advises inspecting the bin floor’s condition, confirming the sweep auger’s functionality, and verifying that all vents are screened.

“Now is the time to do preliminary maintenance on your bin before it is time to fill it in the fall when there is increased demand for parts and a chance those parts could be in short supply, so be prepared and plan ahead,” he says.

---

Back