Use a grain dryer for long-term storage? You're going to want to read this blog post from Jim Voigt. 🌽 Check out more on Jim's Grain Guy Fifty blog! ✅
Happy New Year from Grain Guy Fifty! As we welcome the New Year, I wanted to share an operational tip about grain dryers. About a month ago, I recommended against using grain dryers for long-term storage, as this practice can be detrimental to both the grain and the dryer. Remember, dryers are primarily designed to remove moisture, not to serve as storage units. With that in mind, I'd like to share some additional uses for grain dryers that can positively impact grain quality. These insights stem from my firsthand experiences operating tower-type dryers in the Midwest and Plains. These are not OEM recommended uses. 1. Improving Test Weight on Wheat: Depending on the variety and cleanliness, running wheat through a tower dryer without heat may increase test weight by about one pound per bushel, and in some cases, gains of nearly two pounds have been obtained. Importantly, this process does not significantly alter moisture content. Instead, the improvement comes from cleaning the grain, akin to using an aspirator, and can also aid in removing garlic bulbs which tend to dry and wither then exit in the exhaust air. 2. Odor Removal: Operating a tower dryer without heat can help reduce or eliminate light musty or sour odors from grain. If such odors are present, it’s essential to inspect your bins to identify the source and take corrective measures. Never use additives to mask odors in stored grains. It's important to remember that elevating and moving grain incurs costs related to energy, labor, maintenance, depreciation, and shrink losses, typically around a cent per bushel. When considering the alternative uses for your dryer mentioned above, weigh the potential quality improvements benefits against any additional operating expenses. Wishing you a prosperous New Year! Explore more insights on the Grain Guy Fifty Blog: [Grain Guy Fifty Blog](https://lnkd.in/gPMFWQ-S)