OVERVIEW
If the possibility of having a bin put up before harvest is not coming through, and you are caught short on storage, there are other options which you have apart from taking grains to the elevator and suffering low prices.
Outdoor grain can successfully be held for a few months before a new bin is installed. The reason behind this is to create a temporal holding space to minimize the loss of grain quality. Dry corn stored in piles (15% moisture or less) during winter weather does not necessarily need to be covered or aerated. The only time when covers and aeration space are needed is when grain is stored in the next spring and during summer.
It is a good practice to wait and pile grain outdoors until the last harvest. This ensures that crop will have dried down to 15% or less and will be cooler. Waiting until the end of harvest helps the grain not to be exposed for long before rain while the new bin is finished.
Tips For Long-Term Grain Storage
What About Aeration?
Ventilation ducts should be positioned parallel to the axis of a rectangular pile if you are concerned that it might heat up the center of the pile. By doing this it cools the pile's core and makes it easier to remove the corn. Aeration demands the low use of velocity fans that provide approximately 0.1 cubic foot of air per minute per bushel for dry grain.
Ducts should be extended to approximately 70 feet beyond the grain at the front and back end of the pile. Ventilation of the pile core of large piles of 200 feet or more, may be accomplished by running ducts from sides and intersecting at the center of every 80-foot duct running parallel to the long axis.
Indoor Storage Spaces
Before choosing outdoor piling, consider the possible spaces in farmstead building. These building can be used to store grain for a period of time if the grain is not piled against the outside wall. The depth of grains can be piled up to 4 feet along the walls for a short time storage. The most economical solution for a short-term storage is to pile grain on the floor and peak them in every possible means.
Protection From The Elements
Winter Rated
ALCO covers provide low temperature protection for the coldest climates.
UV Rated
ALCO covers provide UV protection for the sunniest hottest climates.
Wind Rated
ALCO covers provide extreme wind protection for the widest climates.
Rain Rated
ALCO covers provide rain protection for the wettest climates.
Estimate Storage Space
Grain outdoor storage is not without cost, although to avoid excess damage or loss, investment on-site preparation is vital. Adequate drainage system and modalities a pad is created determine its success. To achieve this you need to know how much area you intend to hold crop overflow. In the means of sizing up space, area for conveying equipment and maneuvering truck and trailers are included. To turn-around, trucks need ¼ to ½ acre / 130-foot diameter.
Creating Storage Pad
Once you know the actual storage size, select a location that is well drained. The pad should be crowned under the pile. A slope of 1%-2% provides good drainage. To create the pad mix lime, fly ash, or cement in the soil before packing it to reduce water permeability. The amount of compression needed to for a successful pad should be about 95% of the standard proctor density. Density gauge is used to measure the value of success by an engineering firm.
Maximum Slope
In the course of building a pile, make sure the drop distance from the stream of the auger to the pile is at a minimum. This will attain maximum slope. The maximum slope of repose and pile height occurs when grain rolls down the side of the pile.
Covering the pile with plastic tarps is necessary if the fall is wet and the pile has been exposed for a long time. 1 inch of rainfall distributed across a pile could possibly re-wet the top 12 inches of grain to near 9% of moisture.
Bagging System
Using a bagging system of 10-foot diameter bag can store up to 60 bushels per foot. Grains put in bags should be dry and cool. The cost of using a bagging system in a single use is around 5¢-7¢ per bushel, loading, and unloading inclusive, this will cost around $50, 000 to $165, 000.