Safeguarding Grains: Crucial to Farm Safety, Profitability

It’s often said stored grain is a farmer’s most valuable asset, but if not stored correctly, that grain can depreciate quite quickly. SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist Sara Bauder says its important growers are taking every step to protect and preserve grain quality on farm.

“Maintaining grain quality is of great value to a grower, and spending adequate time cleaning and preparing bins, having the proper size aeration system and checking grain regularly are all part of maintaining high quality stored grain,” says Bauder.

SDSU Extension will kick off its virtual Crop Hour webinar series Jan. 5 with the first week’s presentations dedicated to managing stored grain. Attendees will have the opportunity to tune in each day from 10 to 11 a.m. CST to hear from local and regional experts concerning pertinent issues surrounding stored grains that are crucial to farm safety and profitability.

Stored Grain Crop Hour dates and topics are:

• January 5: “Using Aeration to Manage Stored Grain During the Phases of the Year,” Dr. Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension Agricultural Engineer (1 hour)
• January 6: “Identifying and Managing Stored Grain Pests,” Dr. Adam Varenhorst, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Field Crop Entomologist (1 hour)
• January 7: “Fumigant Safety,” Connie Strunk, SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist (50 min)
• January 8: “Staying Safe and Staying Alive Around Grain Bins,” Emily Krekelberg, University of Minnesota Farm Safety and Health Extension Educator (50 min)
• Bauder says it’s easy to become complacent with safety on the farm.

“There are many simple changes and/or additions that can be made to a bin site that can keep everyone safe while handling grain and pesticides,” Bauder says. “Operators should keep up-to-date on new and emerging safety technologies and techniques.”

Each week SDSU Extension’s Crop Hour will cover a different area of agronomic production, from field crops and forages to water and weather. The webinar series will conclude March 26.

There is no fee to attend but participants will need to register for the weekly webinars on the SDSU Extension Crops page. Confirmation Zoom links and reminders will be emailed to attendees.

Educational credits (CEU’s) will be available for Certified Crop Advisers for each session.