As outdoor temperatures increase, stored grain requires attention to prevent losses, says Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer and grain drying expert.

The stored grain temperature increases in the spring due to an increase in outdoor temperatures and solar heat gain on the bin. Solar energy produces more than twice as much heat gain on the south wall of a bin in early spring as it does during the summer.

Periodically run aeration fans to keep the grain temperature below 30 degrees until the grain is dried if it exceeds recommended storage moisture contents and below 40 degrees during the spring if it is dry.

Stored grain should be monitored closely to detect any storage problems early, Hellevang advises. Grain temperature and moisture content should be checked every two weeks during the spring and summer. Grain also should be examined for insect infestations...

Check out the rest of this article at - https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/news/newsreleases/2014/mar...