Don’t gamble by not aerating your canola

Don’t gamble by not aerating your canola

Uneven maturity means there’s more green seed this year, and that ups the risk of spoilage


You can lose a lot of money in a hurry, so watch for potential canola storage problems as fall transitions into early winter, says an Alberta provincial crop specialist. “Canola seed’s high oil content makes it very susceptible to deterioration in storage,” said Neil Whatley. “Safe, long-term canola storage is at or below eight per

As the temperatures fall, the chance of spoilage goes up if you’re not keeping a close eye on canola in the bin.

Don’t gamble by not aerating your canola

Uneven maturity means there’s more green seed this year, and that ups the risk of spoilage

You can lose a lot of money in a hurry, so watch for potential canola storage problems as fall transitions into early winter, says a provincial crop specialist. “Canola seed’s high oil content makes it very susceptible to deterioration in storage,” said Neil Whatley. “Safe, long-term canola storage is at or below eight per cent


Consider pros, cons of alternative grain storage methods

Consider pros, cons of alternative grain storage methods

Grain should be dry and cool when placed in alternative storage facilities

Bumper crops and transportation delays have created a need for additional temporary storage on many farms. Here are some things farmers should consider about the various options. “Grain can be stored in many types of facilities,” North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer Ken Hellevang says. “But all storage options should keep the grain

Bigger bins make for bigger challenges for maintaining condition.

Grain-drying systems: larger bins, more grain, more air

Natural air drying needs 10 times the airflow rate compared to aeration

The yields are getting larger, the machinery bigger. It stands to reason that grain storage bins have had to get bigger as well. Smaller bins and their effective grain-drying systems in place for years are being replaced by larger bins and more intricate drying needs to handle the larger contents. “There are larger bins in

grain bins

Four simple steps to storing grain safely this fall

Pay attention to sanitation, loading, aeration, and monitoring

This fall when you’re preparing your grain for storage, all you need to do is remember to SLAM. That’s short for sanitation, loading, aeration, and monitoring. The first step — removing any dust or debris from your bins before harvest — is “obviously important,” said Ryan Braun, Canadian sales manager for OPI, a grain storage


canola field

Cool down canola ASAP to prevent spoilage

With the recent heat wave farmers need to be even more vigilant with their canola

All canola should be conditioned shortly after it goes in the bin. Canola that goes into the bin hot is at much higher risk of spoilage and conditioning will reduce the grain temperature. It will also help dry down dockage, which may have higher moisture content than the seed. Note that straight-combined canola may have

Bruce Berry of Almost Urban Vegetables uses composted manure to power his plants.

Winter no barrier to composting

Manure composting has many benefits, including concentrated nutrients, 
reduced volume, no smell and easy transport

Like any recipe, making a good composted manure requires the right ingredients, a proper mixer and some heat. “There are a lot of misconceptions as to what composting actually is, some think that if you have a pile of manure it’s called composting, it really isn’t,” said Mario Tenuta. “So we want to talk to

aeration fans at the base of grain bins

Is continuous aeration a waste of money, or worse?

Natural aeration might not use hot air in the bin, but it generated some at CropConnect

After years of studying the effects of natural aeration on wheat, barley and peas, Ron Palmer of the Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation says that leaving fans running during the day isn’t just ineffective, it may actually damage the grain in your bin. “Not only are we spinning our fans for nothing, but it leaves


Mario Tenuta speaks at the Manitoba Forage Seed Association’s annual conference in Winnipeg.

There’s life in that there dirt

Farmers need to be aware of the vast world beneath their feet — healthy plants depend on it

It just might be that the most important living beings on any farm aren’t found in the barn — but in the soil. Bacteria, mycorrhiza, fungi, nematodes and even earthworms are key to understanding and promoting plant growth, University of Manitoba soil scientist Mario Tenuta told the Manitoba Forage Seed Association’s annual conference in Winnipeg

grain storage bins in the winter

Top 10 risky storage situations for canola

Canola can heat and spoil in the bin, costing growers a lot of lost income. Here are 10 situations that will increase the storage risk: 10. Can’t remember what’s in the bin. Keep a composite sample for each bin of canola. Record average moisture and grain temperature when canola goes in the bin. Use this