Farmers are now harvesting corn and soybeans for storage over winter. Listed below are some points to remember to help prepare grain bins for winter storage and to maintain grain quality.

Clean grain, equipmentFirst, be sure to store sound, clean, dry grain. It may be advisable to screen out broken grains, trash and fines to increase the quality of the final storage product. Also, the elimination of trash will enhance fumigation, should this procedure be required later.Since stored grain insects can invade new grain from infested harvesting and handling equipment, such as combines and augers, cleanup is essential. Carefully remove all traces of old grain from combines, truck beds, grain carts, augers, and any other equipment used for harvesting, transporting and handling grain.Even small amounts of moldy or insect-infested grain left in equipment can contaminate a bin of new grain. Then clean grain bins thoroughly, disposing of spilled, cracked and broken grain and grain flour, along with the insects feeding on such material.

Clear bin areasAround the bins, be sure to remove old equipment, junk and clutter to make the area less attractive to insects and rodents. Make sure that the bin is insect and rodent-proofed by plugging holes, sealing bins, caulking and making general repairs. Grain spilled near the bin attracts insects and draws mice and rats.Clean up and dispose of any spilled grain several weeks before harvest. If rats have tunneled under foundations, use baits or traps to reduce or eliminate them.Mow around the bin site to remove tall grass and weeds to reduce the potential for insect and rodent infestation. If necessary, regrade the site so that water readily drains away from bin foundations.Landscaping should be maintained well away from grain storage facilities. Leave a 4-foot wide strip of bare gravel around the perimeter of storage bins.

Reduce insectsStored grain insects cannot live on extremely dry grain (less than 10 percent); however, it is impractical to reduce grain moisture much below minimum moisture levels necessary for long-term storage. Insect activity and reproduction are favored, however, by high grain moisture (14 percent or more), especially when condensation and molds occur, and fermentation raises temperature in the grain mass.Spoilage and internal heating allow insects to remain active even in winter. Manage aeration to manipulate grain temperature. Since insects are “cold-blooded,” they are not active much below 50 degrees, and grain cooling can be particularly important in reducing insect reproduction.Condensation of moisture in the grain mass is prevented by slow cooling and gradual reduction of the gradient between the grain mass temperature and the outside (ambient) temperature.

Maintain systemsA bin of 19 percent moisture corn with a starting temperature of 75 degrees can lose a full market grade in about five days if the aeration system shuts down, allowing the grain to heat and deteriorate. Electrical system maintenance before harvest can prevent costly downtime.Wiring for fans and other electrical components should be inspected for corrosion and cracked, frayed or broken insulation. Exposed wiring should be run through a waterproof, dust-tight conduit. Avoid kinking the conduit and make sure all connections are secure.Fans, heaters, transitions and ducts should be checked for corrosion and other damage. Remove any accumulated dust and dirt that may reduce operating efficiency and be sure all connections are tight to prevent air leaks that can reduce operating efficiency.

Treat empty binsOnce empty bins have been thoroughly cleaned, a residual treatment may be applied to bin surfaces to protect incoming grain from insect infestation. Follow label instructions carefully. The following materials are listed for empty grain bin surface treatments:- Silicon dioxide, also known as diatomaceous earth — available under many brand names.- Butylcarityl + Pyrethrins — available under many brand names.- Related chemicals include Binfenthrin (Capture) and Pybuthryn (Butacide, Pyrenone Crop Spray).For bins with false floors, which are inaccessible for cleaning, chloropicrin, a bin “clean-out” fumigant, is legal to use, before binning the grain. Other fumigants that could be used on empty bins would be magnesium phosphide and methyl bromide.Caution! Fumigants are dangerous, restricted-use pesticides and may require gas monitoring devices and respirator protection for the applicator. It is highly recommended that fumigation be done by a commercial pesticide applicator who has been trained and EPA/NDA-certified in safe fumigant handling and application techniques. Refer to current labels for specific details and instructions.

Ag humorA big-city lawyer was representing the railroad in a lawsuit filed by an old rancher. The rancher’s prize bull was missing from the section through which the railroad passed. The rancher only wanted to be paid the fair value of the bull.The case was scheduled to be tried before the justice of the peace in the back room of the general store.The attorney for the railroad immediately cornered the rancher and tried to get him to settle. The lawyer did his best selling job, and the rancher agreed to take half of what he had been asking.After the rancher had signed the release and took the check, the young lawyer couldn’t resist gloating a little over his success, telling the rancher, “You know, I hate to tell you this, old man, but I put one over on you in there. I couldn’t have won the case. The engineer was asleep and the fireman was in the caboose when the train went through your ranch that morning. I didn’t have one witness to put on the stand. I bluffed you!”The old rancher replied, “Well, I’ll tell you, young feller, I was a little worried about winning that case myself, because that durned bull came home this morning.”

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.