Harvested grain is stored in large grain sheds or silos, and farmers spend a lot of time and effort keeping it ventilated.
Why does stored grain need to be kept venilated? Even after it has been harvested, grain continues to respire and emit moisture. It actually has a temperature as high as 20 degrees Celsius immediately after it has been harvested and stored!
This warm, moist environment creates the ideal condition for mould and insect larvae to grow and hatch, resulting in ruined grain that can no longer be sold. One of the best sources for information on this is the AHDB, who are an independent development board for UK agriculture.
At temperatures of around 10-15 degrees, pests like grain weevils are unable to breed, so grain temperatures should be rapidly reduced as soon as grain has been stored.
To quickly and easily reduce grain temperature, farmers need to invest in efficient, specially designed equipment.
Our packaged solution to grain storage – the Plug&Cool Barn System – features everything farmers need to quickly reduce grain temperatures and maintain cool temperatures for the duration of the storage period in an energy-efficient manner.
Featuring high-output fans, durable Pedestals and a web-based control panel, farmers are able to maintain desired grain temperatures from anywhere. This means fans are never running needlessly, increasing energy-efficiency and saving farmers money.
So to answer the question why does stored grain need to be kept ventilated, it is to keep the value of your crop to a maximum.
To find out more about our specialist grain storage equipment get in touch with us on 01621 868 138 or you can email us at fans@gibbonsgroup.co.uk.
Grain weevils – One pair of weevils can produce up to 6,000 offspring per year! The females deposit eggs inside grain kernels, and the larvae eat the insides. They are thought to cause the loss of up to 5% of harvested grain in developed countries, and up to 50% in less developed areas.
