Develop a marketing plan prior to placing grain in storage and follow it. Moisture content of grain placed in a temporary structure should average 1 percent below the acceptable market moisture content if possible. Thoroughly sample each load entering a pile to minimize potential for wet pockets. It is also important to look for foreign or trashy material which may hold a higher moisture content. The temperature of grain loads entering the pile should be less than 65 degrees F and ideally 45 degrees.
Lower temperatures inhibit mold and insect survival.
To ensure that the grain temperature is low enough before it enters storage, it may be necessary to delay harvest three to four weeks until nighttime temperatures drop. Normally, the temperature of the grain kernel is five to 10 degrees F higher than average outdoor air temperatures so where possible, warmer grain should be placed near the surface where cool nighttime air can help transfer heat from the pile. Cleaner grain stores better than grain containing trash, broken kernels, foreign or weedy material which provide easy access for insects and molds. If foreign material is a big problem, consider constructing two piles and separate high risk grain from higher-quality supplies. Use of a grain cleaner during loading and unloading of the pile can help remove problem material.