RALEIGH, N.C. (RFD-TV) — Farmers storing corn after harvest could lose 2 percent to 3 percent of grain mass to stored-grain insects in as little as 30 days, making grain-bin preparation and protection important for preserving crop quality and value.
John Mays with Central Life Sciences said insects can survive in grain bins and flat storage, including in dust that collects around and beneath storage floors.
“You want to start as clean as you can and get everything cleaned up,” Mays said.
Insects Can Quickly Eat into Stored Grain
In his interview with RFD-TV, Mays said that research conducted with universities and the USDA has highlighted the potential impact of stored grain insects.
“As little as 30 days, you can see the 2% to 3% yield reduction in your grain mass,” he said.
At current prices discussed during the interview, Mays estimated that loss could amount to 10 to 12 cents per bushel.
“You’re talking 10, 12 cents a bushel at current prices,” Mays said. “So it can significantly add up pretty quick.”
Prepare Bins Before Harvest
Mays recommended cleaning grain bins thoroughly before storing the next crop and considering a pretreatment to help manage insects.
He discussed products from Central Life Sciences, including Gravista for bin treatments and Diacon for protecting grain as it enters storage.
“You want to make sure that all that dust and grain is lifted up,” Mays said. “And then make sure, at a minimum, you’re doing a pretreatment of some kind.”
He said farmers planning to hold grain for an extended period should pay particular attention to protection at harvest.
Grain Protection Can Support Marketing Flexibility
Mays said some farmers traditionally deliver grain by the beginning of March, but changing market conditions have led some to store crops longer in hopes of finding better selling opportunities.
“We’ve seen how these markets have run the last couple of years,” Mays said. He added that some producers are now keeping grain in storage longer to take advantage of market trends.
He encouraged farmers to account for longer storage periods when developing their marketing plans.
“If I’m going to have to store a certain bin or a certain amount of storage longer than I think, go ahead and pre-treat it and give yourself the peace of mind that you need,” Mays said.
LEARN MORE: www.centrallifesciences.com/all-products/stored-grain-protectants
