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Airflow important in grain storageProducers store grain on the farm following harvest for a number of reasons. Many find it more convenient to store their production until the press of harvest is past when they will have more time to haul the grain to market and avoid long lines at the elevator. We sometimes can add value by drying their grain on the farm prior to delivery. Typically, local basis (the reduction in local market price compared to the futures market price) is greatest at harvest due to limited storage space and the labor crunch at the elevator at harvest time. Following harvest, the local basis usually (but not always) improves, hopefully providing a net return above storage costs and interest expense. Storing grain requires informed and active management. Improper grain storage can result in a lower quality product, loss of grain mass, and sometimes spoiled or moldy grain. The two most important factors in grain storage are the grain's temperature and moisture content. A farmer has some control over temperature with aeration and careful attention. With higher airflow rates, moisture also can be removed. Airflow rates Airflow rates as low as 0.1 cubic foot per minute per bushel (cfm/bu) have been successfully used to hold corn that is at or less than 16 percent moisture during the cooler part of the year. Greater airflow rates (0.33 to 0.5 cfm/bu) are recommended to hold grain that is placed into storage at moisture contents above 17 percent or grain that goes into storage above 70 degrees F. The lower cfm/bu airflow rates that are typically used for aeration can only be expected to keep grain from heating and very slowly cool grain when air temperatures are cooler than the grain mass. Much higher airflow rates (2.0 cfm/bu or higher) are needed to remove appreciable moisture from the corn.
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