Normal biochemical activity tends to promote the consumption of oxygen and build up of carbon dioxide. Unless given fresh air frequently, the storage will warm, lack oxygen, and fill with carbon dioxide. Of course, carbon dioxide rarely builds to lethal levels in an entire storage. Therefore, ventilate frequently and ensure that the entire storage is receiving an adequate supply of fresh air. This is understandable.
Good crops can go bad in storage in relatively little time.
Watch the storage and stay informed of the conditions inside it, making adjustments if necessary. Electronic systems are excellent but there is no substitute for checking storage and crop conditions directly. Check equipment and look for leaks in the roof, sagging parts of the pile, condensation, etc. If you have put a good crop into storage, how you manage it until you ship it will influence the bottom line. The figure at left depicts why.