Wheat Harvest Brings Focus to Grain Storage

Storage preparation remains an important step as wheat harvest moves north.

RALEIGH, N.C. (RFD News) — As wheat harvest picks up and moves north in the coming weeks, growers are preparing grain bins for another storage season.

John Mays with Central Life Sciences joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to discuss why bin preparation is important before harvest, the risks of insect infestations in stored wheat, and practical steps growers can take before and during harvest to help reduce those risks.

Mays also discussed how a proactive grain protection protocol can help protect grain quality and improve return on investment.

“The USDA estimates about two and a half billion dollars worth of loss to bugs every year in storage, and that’s just on the storage side. As we look at different crops, wheat is one of the most susceptible ones that’s out there. Doing a grain protection protocol is one of the key things, and again, bugs don’t get killed. Once they burrow into a kernel, they don’t die with cold weather. If you make it through the winter and then it starts to warm up, you could have serious damage. The ROI of treating your grain pays for itself in a very short amount of time.”

With wheat harvest expanding northward, Mays said now is the time for growers to prepare bins for the storage season ahead.

Related Stories
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us to discuss spring planting progress and the outlook for trade and demand as the season continues.
Industry leaders say damage tied to the Strait of Hormuz conflict may continue impacting global fertilizer supplies long after shipping resumes.
Washington growers say this year’s cherry crop may be smaller than last season but still strong enough to support promotions.
The risk is prolonged crop weakness. Stable farmland values remain critical if losses continue.
Drought remains a major risk, with the ERS reporting that 98 percent of the U.S. cotton production area was affected by drought in early May.
The coalition says the program was designed to make cover crop enrollment faster and easier for producers.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Dr. Derrell Peel says the longer the border remains closed to Mexican cattle imports, the more likely some industry changes could become permanent.
Matthew O’Connor continues working with landowners to help protect and restore forests across Georgia.
Producers say limited moisture is creating major challenges for crops and irrigation heading into summer.
The state-level focus is split between labeling and sales restrictions.
Mental Health Nurse Kathleen Jemmett says people should not be afraid to reach out for help.
Farm Bureau economist Dr. Faith Parum says agriculture still needs to see U.S. products actively moving into China.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.