Canada
April 27, 2009
Two numbers should be on the minds
of producers with canola in their bins -- 8 and 15.
"For long term storage canola needs to be kept below 8 percent
moisture and 15 degrees Celsius" says
Canola Council of Canada
agronomist Matthew Stanford. "As oil content goes up, the
potential for storage issues increases, so with the high oil
crop harvested in 2008 it is even more important to watch bins
carefully this spring."
With spring comes warmer temperatures, and that can lead to
spoilage and seed damage, says Stanford. When the sun warms the
outside of the bin, warm air moves up near the outside wall and
down through the centre of the grain mass. The cooler canola in
the centre of the bin reabsorbs moisture, creating an area of
higher moisture and temperature which is prone to rapid
spoilage.
"If canola is being stored in bins without aeration and
temperature monitoring cables, augering a load out of the bin
will allow producers to have a look at the condition of the
stored product," says Stanford. "Doing this will also interrupt
any increase in temperature and moisture in the central core."
Remember that large storage structures are at greater risk for
heating.
At this time of year, growers should be stabilizing bin
temperature between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. If stored
properly, canola can maintain its quality for two to three
years. |
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