Storing grain

[Farming guy 123]

I plan on combining some oats and rye this year and was wondering if ways to store it. I don't have a grain bin so I was wondering what works to store grain.

 

[rustred]

how much makes a difference, and for how long. little can be stored on the grain truck. lots can be stored on the ground as a last resort, but that a pain in the rain and snow. or a grain ring with a tarp on top.

 

[gmccool]

Depends on how much and the % of moisture. If it's not a lot & it's dry leave it in the wagons.

 

[paul]

Depends how much of each, and what are you using it for.

Food you need to store perfect, cattle feed you want to store it perfect but if not it wont be so bad......

What options do you have for a roof and off the ground? Buying a few old $500 gravity wagons and storing in a shed on them works for many or tarred, but you need to tarp well, peaked and cover the door cracks etc....

Paul

 

[caterpillar guy]

If it is dry or close to it you can get fans that can be screwed down into the grain or placed in the truck/wagon in advance then filled with a cover over the screen when done just take cover off and put fan housing in the pipe of the screen this will move air in a wagon /truck load and if dry weather will dry it some.Key is keeping air going through it till it is dry or to keep it from getting mold starting to form. If feeding I would not grind a whole load for through summer use. It is harder to keep in condition after ground. If just setting in wagons/truck you will want a solid cover like plywood or steel plate over it to keep out varmints like rats/coons and such.If not you will be the new refuge for them. I had that just from having seed wheat this fall they used the auger and hoses like an interstate going in and out . Once seed was gone they were gone. Tarp will only be a rag with holes if you just tarp it.

 

[David from Kansas]

With Paul on this one. I have used a gravity wagon to store grain I was feeding (oats) and it works well. Best if stored inside a building but can be left outside for a short period, depending on what kind of weather you have and you must have a good, tight tarp. Rodents can also be a problem as they can get into about anything.

 

[DoubleR]

I too use Gravity wagons stored inside which works pretty good. I use 4x8 sheets of osb board laid on top to cover them and keep rodents out. That seem to work out better than a tarp for me. Although I brought the sheets for 6 bucks a piece back before the current health problem we are having when the price of lumber was allot cheaper.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Grain bins work to store grain. Just because you don't have any does not mean you can't put some up.

Another option is to rent a grain bagger. However you will also need to rent a special machine to empty the bags.

 

[redforlife]

In my neck of the woods, you can just take it to the elevator the same as you would if you were going to sell it. Instead of selling it, just return later and get it. The only difference is, you'll be charged the difference of the in and out price on what you picked back up that day, and the storage cost on number of bushels you picked up for how long it had been there (note, you won't get the same exact grain back, be trading oats for oats). Local hog farmer does this same exact thing, only with corn or milo. Takes it there at harvest. When he needs it for feed, he just goes and gets some of it back.

 

[Farming guy 123]

What moisture can you sell it at? Also do will an elevator leave a trailer for you?

 

[Leroy]

Moisture they will dock you on both moisture and test weight big time. and NO they will have nothing to let you fill.

 

[paul]

A wooden granary is great for storing small grains. The wood allows the moisture to move a bit without being exposed to the cold and condensation of a steel bin.

Of course steel grain bins are the common way now, and are easier to use for bigger amounts of grain.

The wagons I mentioned work well for small amounts of grain.

Storing at the elevator works well here, they charge you a monthly fee but you are no longer responsible for any damage, condition of grain, second transportation of it, cost and taxes on a building, etc.

Dumping the grain on the floor of an existing building works, but often isnt ideal. It takes away the use of the building, the pile of grain is often much smaller than one would think with the width and height limits of an old building, water and rodent damage is more likely with an old awkward building, etc.

Some times you can dump grain out on the lawn or a cement slab, maybe tarp it, and it will keep for a while from a few weeks to a few days. Lot of risk and darned inconvenient tho, very easy for weather to make a mess of this plan.

Without more specifics of how much, how long, and types of grain this is pretty much the outline.

 

[Timmycornpicker]

I am in northern NJ. There are no elevators. Everything must go to Pennsylvania, sometimes way far into Pennsylvania. There is a flour mill just over the river near Portland PA but they only take wheat and it has to be perfect. 13% moisture, no material other than grain and you have to haul it to them.