How to Solve the Problem of Moisture Migration?

Storing grains effectively can save a lot of wastage as well as secure profits. Storage problems occur generally during the bad harvest year. This is caused due to poor dry-grain management practices. It is, therefore, necessary to proper aeration and insect control measures, along with an appropriate observation program that can reduce or eliminate the issues associated with storing grains in the bin. Nowadays, various advanced agriculture equipment can be used such as grain moisture sensors, alarm systems, automation fan control, etc.

Why do problems occur in stored grains?

When grains are dried properly before they are placed in the bin for storing, then the risk of loss and damage of grains are also reduced. However, the factors that are responsible for causing problems with the stored grains are :

● Absence of an effective grain cooling system

● Failure of observation of the stored grain

● Poor quality of stored grain

● The infestation of insects, pests, rodents, etc.

● Growth of mold / fungi

Apart from the above, the climatic conditions play a major role in maintaining the temperature and humidity of the stored grain. Any variation in the moisture content and temperature can be harmful to the stored grains. Even if the weather conditions are safe, there is an issue of moisture migration attached to the stored grains that go on from season to season.

Moisture Migration and Temperature of the Stored Grains

More and more dried grains lose their quality and deteriorate because the moisture content and temperature are not controlled and vary due to reasons that are not controlled. What is moisture migration? Moisture migration refers to the movement or the migration of moisture from one area/ spot to another inside the grain bin. As a result, the moisture tends to accumulate at one spot inside the bin and causes deterioration of the grains and lowers the quality of the grain.

The problem of moisture migration can occur at any point of time when storing the grain when the temperature inside the bin varies considerably at different spots in the bin. Generally, this issue is mounting when the warm grains are stored during the cold winter temperatures, especially if the grains are stored at a temperature that is about 50 to 80 F or above.

It is noteworthy to mention that the grain bin has air space somewhere between 30% to 60% within the grain mass and the air that is surrounding the grain has a similar temperature that of the stored grain. During the late fall or early winter season, the average temperature outside the bin is lowered to 20 F approx. The fall in temperature makes the grain and air near the bin walls cooler than the inside area. This is because the grain has good insulating properties. As such, this phenomenon is common in most of the large bins where the temperature of the grain near to the wall is lower than the grains placed inside the bin. The difference in temperature causes slow and gradual movement of the air as well as moisture inside the bin.

The cooling of the air inside the bin causes the air to become heavier and settle on the floor of the bin. When the air moves from the floor to the center of the bin, the air becomes a little warmer and lighter. As the air keeps rising through the warm grain, the temperature of the air rises inside. When the temperature of air increases, its capacity to hold the moisture also increases and the air starts absorbing some amount of moisture.

How to identify and monitor the temperature of the grains stored in the bin?

With the advanced technology and innovations in agriculture equipment, it is possible to deploy grain moisture sensors inside the bin. The Farm Shop’s Grain Temp Guard Probes Alarm DT and HT can be used to identify the moisture of the grains from various spots. You can place the Grain Temperature Guard Probes at the top, bottom, center, and other spots inside the bin to track the temperature. Any variation in the temperature can be detected with the attached Grain Temp Guard Alarm System (DT and HT) that can trigger the alarm.

The Grain Temp Guard Probes effectively tracks the temperature and can be connected to the cables. You can place as many temperature probes inside the bin depending on the size of the bin to track moisture migration. Grain Temp Guard Probes are a must-have tool that should be a part of every grain storage bin. Once the changes in temperature are tracked, there are high chances of moisture migration and it becomes easier to take any suitable action immediately before the grain loses its quality or deteriorates.