Grain Store
Making sure grain is stored correctly is imperative to any farm - grain can be stored for many months as long as it is ensured that the grain store is well managed; it is stored in a dry environment; it is regularly aerated and the temperature is regulated and kept low.
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Long term grain storage requires well managed and purpose built buildings, often these will involve using concrete panels and other precast concrete products. Suitable doors need to be in place, dark internal conditions to help prevent rodents and birds from moving in, and it is important to enure ongoing monitoring. For long term storage procedures need to be in place to measure moisture content, grain temperature and insect activity - if all of these are managed correctly then the grain should stay in prime condition for many months.
There are two options in terms of drying grain; it can either be put through a drier prior to storage; or it can be placed into the grain store and then dried in-situ. The latter option requires powerful fans which blow air through underfloor ducts. Regular aeration is vital to ensure that warm air is sucked out of the grain and replaced with coller air.
Grain stores can be built in a number of ways, however one of the most common products used is concrete panels. They provide the ability to go up 6m in height (potentially more) and provide a watertight finish if sealed correctly. In addition to the concrete panels, dividing walls are often used to create bays which can be permanent or a temporary solution. Some farmers will prefer temporary grain walling using a freestanding unit; this allows the bays to be easily changed as required. It is important to note that freestanding units will only freestand to a certain point, so it's important to check with the supplier first.
Grain storage can be an involved and expensive business so it's important to make sure that the right firm is engaged. They should have plenty of experience of constructing grain stores and should show a clear knowledge of any potential grain store issues - this will hopefully mean you'll avoid the issues!
For more information on our concrete panels and their use in grain stores and grain storage please get in touch with one of the sales team.