Skip to main content
ISU
Extension
County Offices
Iowa State University | Extension and Outreach
Extension Store
Menu
Toggle
Search
Toggle
Search
Cart
My Account
Store Home
Agriculture & Environment
Crops
Farm Management
Livestock
Rural Sociology
Environment
Pesticide Applicator Training Manuals
Field Guides
Families & Health
Home and Family
Food, Nutrition and Health
Finances
Housing
Strengthening Families Program
Economic Development
Local Government
Community Development
Retail
Planning and Zoning
Yard & Garden
Gardening
Flowers
Lawn, Shrubs, Trees
Vegetables and Herbs
Fruit
Master Gardener
Plant Diseases
4-H
Agricultural Science
Civic Engagement and Leadership
Communication and Arts
Healthy Living
Marketing
Member Resources
STEM
Volunteer Resources
More Resources
New & Revised
Outreach
Spanish/Español Resources
View All Topics
Remaining Time: 1:59:59
Remaining Time:
Timeout Warning
Your shopping cart will expire in
Redirecting to the homepage...
Extending your session...
An error has occurred,
redirecting to the homepage...
Crops
Crops
CROP 3083B
Aeration Module
Mark
A look at how to maintain stored grain in good, quality condition, we’ll see how three different conditions interact to cause grain spoilage problems. This grain module is brought to you by the
Iowa Grain Quality Initiative
and was produced by the former Crop Adviser Institute.
Click here to access the Aeration Module
Learning objective:
Understand the function of aeration in preventing grain spoilage. Learn to establish a grain quality monitoring system with frequent temperature checks to prevent spoilage.
Introduction:
In order to maintain grain in good quality condition, it’s important to avoid storage problems. There are three areas to focus on: moisture, temperature, and time. Holding grain that is too wet, too warm, or for too long can cause problems. This module explains how those three different conditions interact to cause grain spoilage. In addition, the accumulation of fines can promote spoilage or restrict airflow. This module will present solutions, including how aeration prevents uneven grain temperatures during moist conditions in storage, and the importance of checking grain while it is in storage to prevent small problems from developing into large ones.
Moisture:
Fungi and other spoilage organisms grow best at or above 65 percent relative humidity. The air within stored grain should stay below 65 percent relative humidity if possible to prevent spoilage. For wetter corn, temperature becomes the primary control factor.
Temperature Control:
Moisture migration can cause crusting or spoilage at the top of the bin near the center. Moisture migration can be prevented by cooling the grain with aeration fans. Aeration fans create a negative pressure system pulling cool air down through the grain or a positive pressure system by pushing cool air up through the grain. There are a variety of electronics available to measure grain temperature and monitor the aeration process.
Checking Grain Storage:
Stored grain needs to be checked to monitor grain quality. During the winter months, checking every other week is adequate. Checking once per week during summer, spring, and fall is recommended. Safety should be a priority when checking stored grain. Depending on the severity of the spoilage, correcting a storage problem can be done by aeration fans or grain removal.
Supporting information:
Managing Dry Grain in Storage
Dry Grain Aeration Systems Design Handbook
Corn Drying and Storage
Pages / Length:
Publication Date:
08/2016
Available Stock:
Permanent link for this product:
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/14569
Related Products
*Product contains more buying options
CROP 3083A
Dryeration Module
CROP 3083C
Fan Performance Module
CROP 3094A
Corn Growth and Development - Corn Staging
$2.00
CROP 3093A
Soybean Growth and Development - Soybean Staging
$2.00
CROP 3094B
Corn Growth and Development - Key Growth Stages
$2.00
CROP 3093B
Soybean Growth and Development - Key Growth Stages
$2.00
CLG 105
Whole Farm Conservation Best Practices Manual
Free
PM 1688
A General Guide for Crop Nutrient and Limestone Recommendations in Iowa
$2.50
PM 1945
Soybean Growth and Development
$8.00
PMR 1009
Corn Growth and Development
$14.00
*
AS 14
Pasture Management Guide for Livestock Producers
$5.00
CROP 3162
Field Crop Production Handbook
$12.00
AEP 1002
Online review course for the Iowa Certified Crop Adviser Examination
$100.00
CSI 8
Late Season Soybean Scouting
$0.25
CSI 7
Mid-season Soybean Scouting
$0.25
Back to top
My Account
Forgot Password?
New User?
Create An Account