Grain Storage Webinar Handling the 2014 ‘Bumper’ Crop

Grain Storage Webinar – Sept 8, 2014

Grain Storage WebinarHandling the 2014 ‘Bumper’ Crop

MU Extension Engineering Specialists• Jim Crawford – NRE, Northwest Region• Charles Ellis – NRE, East Central Region• Kent Shannon – NRE, Northeast Region• Frank Wideman – NRE, Southeast Region• Joe Zulovich – Ag Engr, Commercial AgMU Extension Ag Economist – Ray Massey

Lead by Extension Engineering Specialists


THE 2014 GROWING SEASON

CHARLES ELLISNATURAL RESOURCE ENGINEER



• What’s it similar to– 2004

• Planting season– Much of the corn crop planted in a timely manner– Some areas with delays in soybean planting into

late June– Planting of double crop beans delayed

The Summer of 2014



• Cooler than normal temperatures with timely rains.

• Parts of the state had 10+ inches of rain in August.

• September 1, 2-6 inches of rain in east Central Missouri.

• Soils are getting saturated.

The Summer of 2014



2014 Corn Development



• AgClimate4U.org– Corn Growing Degree Day Tool– County Level Tool

• Example– Audrain County Missouri– 113 RM corn planted April 19– Similar development to 2004– Approximately one week later development than

the 1981-2010 average.

2014 Corn Development



Harvesting The Corn Crop

• Example– 8 row combine– Harvesting at 4 mph– 80% efficiency– 8 hrs./day– 7.5 ac./hr.

• 135 bu./ac. average– 1012 bu./hr.– 8096 bu./day





• Potentially an additional 2000 bu./day – Haul – Dry – Store

• With 1000 acres of corn potentially 35000 additional bushels.

Harvesting the Corn Crop



• Delayed Crop Maturity• Additional Bushels to Haul• Dryer Capacity• Elevator Constraints in Volume and Drying• High Dew Point Temperatures May Shorten

Harvest Hours.• Are We Approaching Muddy Conditions?

What Will Delay/Slow Harvest



Getting the Corn Harvested



FOR FURTHER INFO CONTACT

Charles EllisNATURAL RESOURCE ENGINEER

LINCOLN COUNTY EXTENSION [email protected]

PH 636-528-4613


mailto:[email protected]


Stage of harvest maturity & implications

Frank WidemanREGIONAL NATURAL RESOURCE

ENGINEER



• Weather– Rain– Mud– Wind

• Equipment issues• Acres per day• Limited window of opportunity

Why worry about harvest timing?



• Black layer– 30-35% moisture content– Finished adding dry matter to grain– Too wet to harvest?

• Traditional harvest starts at 25% moisture– Requires heated drying and lots of air

• Natural air drying at 18-20% moisture– Careful management to avoid spoilage

• 15% for over winter storage• Minimal losses with in field storage

– Some dry matter loss each time rewetting

Corn moisture content



• Moisture at harvest less forgiving than corn• Soybean are very hydroscopic• Moistures above 18% harvest cause damage

– Bean bruising and crushing• Ideal harvest at 13-15% moisture• 10-13%

– Shattering– Lodging– Lower market weights

• Below 10% the beans are brittle• Over winter storage at 13%

Soybean moisture content




Frank WidemanNATURAL RESOURCE ENGINEER

PERRY COUNTY EXTENSION [email protected]

PH 573-547-4504




GRAIN DRYING BASICS

CHARLES ELLISNATURAL RESOURCE ENGINEER



What Happens When Grain Dries?

• Moisture absorbing capacity of the air moving through the grain is used to evaporate moisture from the grain resulting in:– Increased water in the air as vapor, higher RH.– Lower air temperatures leaving the grain.



15.5% Corn Is:

• 47.3 lbs. of dry matter.• 8.7 lbs. of water



20% Corn Is:

• 47.32 lbs. of dry matter.• 11.83 lbs. of water.



Psychrometrics/Drying Principles

85 Degrees54% R. H.

75 Degrees75% R. H.

Equilibrium Corn Moisture 15.2%

Equilibrium Corn Moisture 11.4%

Heat


Equilibrium Moisture of CornAir Temp

R. H. 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

40 9.3 11.0 12.7 14.5 16.4 18.7

50 8.8 10.5 12.2 13.9 15.7Nov.

17.9

60 8.5 10.1 11.7 13.3 15.1Oct.

17.2

70 8.1 9.7 11.2 12.8 14.5Sept

16.6

80 7.8 9.3 10.8 12.4 14.0 16.0

90 7.6 9.0 10.5 12.0 13.6 15.5

100 7.3 8.7 10.1 11.6 13.2 15.1




Layered In-Bin Drying

Dry Grain in Equilibrium

Drying Zone

Wet Grain

Air Flow

Dry, Warm Air

Cooler Moist Air


Proper Storage Moisture

Corn Sold by spring 15.5% Stored one year 14.0%Soybeans Sold by spring 14.0% Stored one year 12.0%Wheat 13.0%



Storage Time for CornGrain Temp

15% 16% 18% 20%

35 670 265 112

40 870 500 200 85

45 650 385 150 64

50 490 290 115 48

55 360 215 86 36

60 270 165 65 28

65 200 125 49 21

70 152 93 37 16

75 112 70 28 12

80 84 53 17 9



Storage Time for BeansGrain Temp 14% 16% 18%

40 230 140 75

45 175 95 40

50 134 65 23

55 100 40 15

60 76 27 11

65 55 19 9

70 41 14 6

75 32 11 4

80 25 8 2



Temp. Data for Mid MissouriMonth Ave. Max Ave. Min Ave. Ave. R. H.

Jan. 41 26 33 72

Feb. 45 29 37 70

March 54 36 45 66

April 66 47 57 65

May 75 57 66 66

June 85 67 76 66

July 90 72 81 61

Aug. 88 70 79 66

Sept. 80 62 71 68

Oct. 70 52 61 65

Nov. 54 38 46 68

Dec. 44 29 36 72





Charles Ellis NATURAL RESOURCE ENGINEER

LINCOLN COUNTY EXTENSION [email protected]

PH 636-528-4613




Natural Air DryingHow Long Will It Take /

Will it Work?

Kent ShannonNatural Resource Engineer

University of Missouri Extension



Moisture Content vs. Temperature Dictates Safe Storage Time

Source: MWPS Managing Dry Grain in Storage, 2004


Temp. Data for Mid MissouriMonth Ave. Max Ave. Min Ave. Ave. R.

H.

Jan. 41 26 33 72

Feb. 45 29 37 70

March 54 36 45 66

April 66 47 57 65

May 75 57 66 66

June 85 67 76 66

July 90 72 81 61

Aug. 88 70 79 66

Sept. 80 62 71 68

Oct. 70 52 61 65

Nov. 54 38 46 68

Dec. 44 29 36 72Lead by Extension Engineering Specialists


Recommended Airflow for Drying Corn

Min. Airflow per bu. CFM/Bu.

Sept 1 Sept. 15 Oct. 1 Oct. 15 Nov. 1

1 19% 19.5% 20% 21% 22%

1.25 19% 20% 20.5% 21.5% 22.5%

1.5 19.5% 20% 21% 22% 23.5%

2 20% 21% 22% 23% 24.5%

3 21% 22% 23.5% 24.5% 25.5%




Airflow Through Grain

• When air is forced through grain, it encounters resistance, which is pressure drop.

• Pressure Drop is the result of friction in the grain mass.



Airflow Through Grain Cont.

• Pressure Drop is dependent on:– properties of the drying air– airflow rate– characteristics of the grain– amount of void space– broken kernels and fines– grain depth



Selecting Fans and Fan Curves

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.50

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

Comparison of 7.5 hp Axial-Flow Fans

Butler - 24"

CECO

Aerovent - 36"

Static Pressure in Inches of Water

Tot

al C

FM



Influence ofGrain Type on Airflow

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 180

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16Using a 7.5 hp Butler Axial-Flow Fan

Corn

Milo

Soybeans

Grain Depth in Feet

CF

M P

er B

ushe

l



Influence ofBin Diameter on Airflow

4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 200

2

4

6

8

10

12

14Using a 7.5 hp Butler Axial-Flow Fan

18 ft

24 ft

30 ft

36 ft

Grain Depth in Feet

CF

M p

er b

ushe

l



Drying Strategies

• Dry to 16 percent moisture in fall finish drying to 13 percent moisture in spring

• Dry to 13 percent moisture in fall



Drying Strategies - Equipment

• 27 foot drying bin• 14 foot maximum fill• Capacity 6413 bushels• 7.5 horsepower fan• Airflow - 1.47 cfm/bu or 9397 total cfm



Airflow and Pressure with Different Quantities of Grain in a Bin – 27 ft bin with 7.5 hp axial flow fan

Depth Airflow Airflow S.P.

(ft) Bushels (cfm) (cfm/bu) (in. H2O)

8.0 3664 10608 2.89 1.99

10.0 4580 10181 2.22 2.35

12.0 5497 9777 1.78 2.66

14.0 6413 9397 1.47 2.93

16.0 7329 9044 1.23 3.17

18.0 8245 8720 1.06 3.39

20.0 9161 8420 0.92* 3.58



Drying Strategies – Natural AirFor September Harvest – 24 % M.C.

FMC Days Required for Drying23 8.9 4.5 3.0 2.2 1.5 1.122 17.9 8.9 6.0 4.5 3.0 2.221 26.8 13.4 8.9 6.7 4.5 3.320 35.7 17.9 11.9 8.9 6.0 4.519 44.7 22.3 14.9 11.2 7.4 5.618 53.6 26.8 17.9 13.4 8.9 6.717 62.5 31.3 20.8 15.6 10.4 7.816 71.5 35.7 23.8 17.9 11.9 8.915 80.4 40.2 26.8 20.1 13.4 10.014 89.3 44.7 29.8 22.3 14.9 11.2

Airflow Rate (cfm/bushels)0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.5 2

Program to Estimate Grain Drying Time for Natural Air DryingPrepared by Joe Harner, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University



Moisture Content vs. Temperature Dictates Safe Storage Time

Source: MWPS Managing Dry Grain in Storage, 2004



Drying Strategies – Natural AirFor September Harvest – 20 % M.C.

Airflow Rate (cfm/bushels)0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.5 2

FMC Days Required for Drying19 16.8 8.4 5.6 4.2 2.8 2.118 33.6 16.8 11.2 8.4 5.6 4.217 50.4 25.2 16.8 12.6 8.4 6.316 67.2 33.6 22.4 16.8 11.2 8.415 83.9 42.0 28.0 21.0 14.0 10.514 100.7 50.4 33.6 25.2 16.8 12.613 117.5 58.8 39.2 29.4 19.6 14.712 134.3 67.2 44.8 33.6 22.4 16.811 151.1 75.5 50.4 37.8 25.2 18.910 167.9 83.9 56.0 42.0 28.0 21.0

Program to Estimate Grain Drying Time for Natural Air DryingPrepared by Joe Harner, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University




• 30 foot drying bin• 27 foot maximum fill• Capacity 15268 bushels• 2 x 15 horsepower centrifugal fans in parallel• Airflow - 1.01 cfm/bu or 15380 total cfm



Airflow and Pressure with Different Quantities of Grain in a Bin – 30 foot bin with 2 SUKUP 3500 rpm Centrif. 15 hp in Parallel



12.0 6786 18056 2.66 4.81

15.0 8482 17537 2.07 5.75

18.0 10179 16992 1.67 6.58

21.0 11875 16469 1.39 7.33

24.0 13572 15983 1.18 8.01

27.0 15268 15380 1.01 8.52

30.0 16965 14834 0.87* 8.97




• 42 foot drying bin• 27 foot maximum fill• Capacity 29926 bushels• 2 x 40 horsepower centrifugal fans in parallel• Airflow – 1.01 cfm/bu or 30101 total cfm



Airflow and Pressure with Different Quantities of Grain in a Bin – 42 foot bin with 2 SUKUP 3500 rpm Centrif. 40 hp in Parallel



12.0 13300 33895 2.55 4.51

15.0 16625 32991 1.98 5.41

18.0 19950 32173 1.61 6.25

21.0 23275 31452 1.35 7.05

24.0 26600 30775 1.16 7.81

27.0 29926 30101 1.01 8.50

30.0 33251 29455 0.89* 9.15



Natural Air DryingHow Long Will It Take / Will it Work?

• Has potential with smaller bins or larger bins with shallower depths

• Need to know the specs of the fan and its potential performance – This will be key

• Most larger bins have fans sized for aeration (0.3 cfm per bushel)




Kent Shannon NATURAL RESOURCE ENGINEER

BOONE COUNTY EXTENSION [email protected]

PH 573-445-9792




ECONOMICS OF GRAIN DRYING

RAY MASSEYCROP ECONOMIST



2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014F -

100,000,000

200,000,000

300,000,000

400,000,000

500,000,000

600,000,000

700,000,000

800,000,000

900,000,000

OFF FARM - CAPACITY ON FARM - CAPACITY Total Corn & SB Production

Mill

ion

Bush

els

Missouri Grain Storage Capacity



• If you have on-farm drying equipment,– The cost of the equipment is a sunk cost. The

ownership costs should not affect your decision of how to use the dryer this year.

– The relevant costs are fuel and additional handling losses such as increased broken grains.

• If you do not have on-farm drying,– Commercial facilities may be available.– Commercial costs of drying can be very high.

Relevant Costs of Drying



• Factors that affect the cost of drying– Grain moisture at harvest – Target moisture level for storage/marketing– Cost of fuel for drying– Commercial Drying Charges

• Shrinkage• Discount (drying charge) for wet grain

• Value of grain affects the relative cost of drying but not the actual cost of drying– Cost per bushel is the same but the percent of value is different– Percent of value is greater for cheaper grain.

Grain Drying Economic Analysis Toolcrops.missouri.edu/machinery/GrainDryingAid.xlsx


Grain Storage Webinar – Sept 8, 2014Lead by Extension Engineering Specialists




Ray Massey CROP ECONOMIST

UNIVERSITY OF [email protected]

PH 573-884-7788




GRAIN STORAGE OPTIONS

JOE ZULOVICHEXTENSION AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER



Grain Storage Duration

Long Term Storage Characteristics• Grain must be dry when

stored – aeration can cool• Aeration capability of at least

0.1 cfm/bu exists – key to maintain grain quality for long storage period

• Structural options include circular bins; flat storage buildings; well maintained, covered piles. All have aeration systems.

Temporary Storage Characteristics• Grain must be dry and cool

when stored• No aeration available for

grain mass – often limits storage time to two months

• Structural options include any grain storage vessel with no aeration capability.



• Circular bins with aeration/drying floors• Circular bins with aeration capability using

aeration ducts strategically placed within floor• Flat storage buildings with aeration ducts

strategically placed within floor or as pipes placed on top of floor at bottom of grain mass

• Covered outside piles with aeration incorporated (up to 6 months)

Permanent/Long Term Storage



• Covered outside piles without aeration• Grain storage bags• Flat storage buildings without aeration (either

“permanent” flat storage or converted flat storage within a building)

• Any other “vessel” used to store grain without an aeration system

Temporary/Short Term Storage



1. Determine/select capacity of storage as well as dimensions (area and depth at wall)

2. Site drainage – Well drained, relatively flat site where ALL surface water drains away from site

3. Base – At least a 4-6” thick, well drained granular base (or concrete pad) and/or use 6-mil plastic to create vapor barrier to minimize moisture movement from soil to grain

Characteristics needed to construct a ‘Temporary Grain Storage Pile’



4. If walls are desired, place temporary walls for shape and size of storage desired. Walls can be constructed using:

– Large concrete blocks (2’ by 2’ by 4’ to 8’ long) with maximum height of 3 blocks (6’ high)

– Concrete road barriers– Commercially available temporary wall barriers

5. After filling, cover with tarp(s) to shed rain water off pile.

Characteristics needed to construct a ‘Temporary Grain Storage Pile’



• Installing/providing pile aeration– will allow for longer storage period.– helps hold tarp(s) on grain pile.

• Pile aeration system options– Commercially available wall barrier systems often

incorporate fans and wall inlets for aeration– Pipe duct aeration system can be designed and

installed but challenges grain removal operation

Aerating Grain Piles?




Joe Zulovich EXTENSION AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER

UNIVERSITY OF [email protected]

PH 573-882-0868




ESTIMATING THE CAPACITY OF TEMPORARY STORAGE PILES

JIM CRAWFORDNATURAL RESOURCE ENGINEER



• Only store DRY grain– Corn ≤15.5% – Soybeans ≤13%

• Do not try to over fill the pile– Wet grain will form steeper cones when filled– As it dries, grain will flow down cone

Basic Guidelines for Temporary Grain Piles



Spreadsheet Calculating Pile Size



Angle of Repose for grain

Width of Storage Pile

Depth of stored grain at wallWall can be taller that depth of grain stored

Width ofStorage

Length of Storage

Rectangular Grain Piles



Volume of dry grain stored in rectangular piles

Storage DimensionsLength of pile 100 ftWidth of pile 50 ftDepth of grain on vertical walls 3 ftAngle of repose for grain 27 degrees Corn - typical value - 27 degrees Soybeans - typical value - 30 degrees For level grain at top storage - enter 0 for angle of repose

Volume stored in pile 33,230 bushels




Diameter of Storage Pile

Diameter of Pile

Circular Grain Piles



Volume of dry grain stored in circular piles

Storage DimensionsDiameter of pile 50 ftDepth of grain on vertical walls 3 ftAngle of repose for grain 27 degrees Corn - typical value - 27 degrees Soybeans - typical value - 30 degrees For level grain at top storage - enter 0 for angle of repose





Width of Storage Pileis same as diameter of half circles forming ends of storage

Length of straight walls betweencircular ends of storage

Oval Grain Piles



Volume of dry grain stored in oval piles

Storage DimensionsLength of straight walls 100 ftWidth of pile (diameter of end half circles) 50 ftDepth of grain on vertical walls 3 ftAngle of repose for grain 27 degrees Corn - typical value - 27 degrees Soybeans - typical value - 30 degrees For level grain at top storage - enter 0 for angle of repose




Jim CrawfordNATURAL RESOURCE ENGINEER

ATCHISON COUNTY EXTENSION [email protected]

PH 660-744-6231




Questions and Discussion



• Title - Grain storage and drying issues• Short URL is

http://extension.missouri.edu/grainstorage • Page is at

http://extension.missouri.edu/main/spotlight/grain.aspx

• Page will be listed in the “In demand” section on MU Extension homepage

Website Resource


http://extension.missouri.edu/grainstorage



Documents

Grain Storage Webinar Handling the 2014 ‘Bumper’ Crop