Rick McClelland and Jeff Fjelstul joined us in September to review how producers are taking advantage of temporary storage solutions.
The Iowa derecho disaster on August 10 has left many with damage to their permanent storage facilities. Approximately 57 million bushels of on-farm storage were lost to this event, and McClelland estimates it will take three years before we see that storage replaced at full capacity.
Fjelstul says, “There is a short lead time on bins, but the builders are what holds the process up. They are backed up right now making the permanent storage rebuild process slow.” This brings temporary storage as a front-runner for those producers affected.
Temporary storage solutions are not as temporary as they may imply. “While the tarp and sock on the aeration system are replaced every year, the walls and site for temporary storage can be used for up to twenty years,” states McClelland. The return on investment of these systems is quick and they hold their resale value quite well since they are used for a few years and sold once permanent storage is established.
Preparing a successful storage site is heavily relied on three factors; choosing a location that is high and dry, compacting soil correctly, and establishing a good base. Following these guidelines prevents moisture migration into the crop. “Some producers will lay an asphalt or concrete base but compacting ag lime when done correctly is the best base you can have,” says McClelland.
Proper management of the pile is essential to ensuring the quality of the product when it is hauled out of storage. Fjelstul says, “Pile Manager works similar to Bin Manager, it saves energy and helps reduce shrink of product by controlling the fans automatically.” Keeping the tarp tight on the pile ensures that the product receives proper aeration, producing the highest quality product at the end of the six to eight month storage period.
By using a management system that is easily accessed via phone app or on the computer the outcome of temporary storage can be a positive one. The same customer support is available for Pile Manager as it is for Bin Manager. In addition to the online access the AGI team is available to help troubleshoot via their hotline.
While there are other forms of temporary storage available McClelland states, “I’m not a big fan of bags, the product quality becomes poor as there is no aeration and they are susceptible to damage. Using equipment sheds is also not a good idea because they are not constructed to withstand the pressure of holding grain.” McClelland and Fjelstul are in concurrence that the best temporary storage solution is an outside pile. When managed properly this method will see the highest success rate.
To watch the full conversation, visit AGI SureTrack Community or find us on YouTube.
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