Sanitation in Grain Storage and Handling

1. Sanitation in Grain Storage and Handling Material taken from the book chapter by Michael Toews and Bhadriraju Subramanyam

2. Benefits of clean storage • Safety hazards of dirty grain • Aeration savings • Insect management

3. Recall from week 3 the definitions of dockage Common constituents Weed seeds, weed stems, chaff, straw, sand , dirt, dust, grains other than the specified commodity All of these contribute to “filth” which is commonly called: dockage, BCFM, broken kernels, dust, and fine material Grain grading definitions

4. Harvesting machinery Age, condition, setting Weeds Seeds and stems Seed (not certified) No chemical control of weeds Lack of cultivation Cropping system (3-year vs 2-year rotation) Climatic conditions Maturity of crop at specific time of year Machine threshing, general grain movement Sources of dockage

5. Sources of dockage • Insect feeding • Grain turning • Moisture content of the grain (especially corn) low moisture = more breakage

6. Spout line Segregation in-transit Location in steel bins Under false floors Few operators clean wheat before storage Dockage in bulk-stored grain

7. Dust accumulation on and near grain movement equipment This dust contains immature insects Result in population ready for grain after fumigation Piles of grain on the ground and in the headhouse serve as reservoir sites Sanitation outside of bins

8. Moisture distribution Insect infestation Reduced efficiency of pesticides Improper aeration Problems during unloading Safety and health hazards Economic penalties Problems associated with dockage

9. Moisture transfer See week 4 notes More of a problem in unaerated than aerated grain Temperature distribution Could result in high moisture, high temperature, high insect populations, high mold, fungus, Fungus feeders Moisture distribution

10. Internal pests don’t need dockage External pests require fines for optimal growth Proportion of eggs that survive to adults is related to dockage Pesticide efficacy Absorption by fines Degradation increases at higher moisture content Distribution of fumigants (Douglas example) Insect infestations

11. Definition (pg 17) Problems with fines in interstitial spaces offer resistance Longer aeration cycles, more power, more expensive Same can be stated for grain drying Unloading problems Separation of fines in transit May not meet specifications set forth in contract Aeration, drying, and unloading

12. Grain dust Human health Occupations respiratory diseases Irritation to eyes, ears, nose throat, skin Impair visibility Odors Decrease productivity Explosions Containment, ignition source, oxygen, suspended dust Anatomy of explosion Smaller primary explosion (fire wave and pressure wave) Larger secondary explosions (pg 20) Safety and health

13. Price or weight discounts Not part of GIPSA guidelines but can be specified in contract Economic penalties

14. Grain processed over sieves or an aspirator Cleanings themselves can be sold for animal feed Certain export markets pay a premium for less dockage Domestic mills don’t pay a premium Potential savings on pesticide applications and the issue of durability Grain cleaning

15. Evenly distribute materials in the bin with spreader Coring Use of engineering or oils in facilities (pg24) Cyclone and dust ventilation systems. Disposal can be difficult Oils-i.e. mineral oil is approved by the government Correcting for dockage

16. See page 27 from text Overall benefits