Watchful Eye Vital To Successfully Storing Grain
More wheat is now stored away in Alabama grain bins than there has been in decades. But an entomologist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System warns producers must keep a watchful eye on their harvest.
"You cannot just fill a bin with wheat or other grains and forget about them," says Dr. Kathy Flanders, who specializes in grain and forage pests.
Doug Trantham, a Calhoun County farmer, echoes Flanders.
"You can put in $8 dollar a bushel wheat in June and if you have not done things correctly, you will be pulling out $2 a bushel feed wheat by the end of the summer," says Trantham.
That is because insect pests in stored grain can virtually consume the entire grain kernel, leaving little more than dust behind. Also, there are strict guidelines limiting the number of insects that can be found in grains bound for human consumption.
One of the things farmers must do is monitor their stored grain for insect pests.
"Insects develop quickly in warm grain," says Flanders. "In about 30 days, you can have a new batch of insects."
She explains that effective pest monitoring requires more than looking into the grain bin.
"If you can see bugs crawling around, chances are there are way too many insects."
Flanders recommends that farmers use a grain probe or specially designed pitfall traps.
"A good rule of thumb is to put in five traps per bin every two weeks in summer and every month in winter. Place the traps and then come back in a few days to check."
She says that these traps will detect insect activity before critical levels are reached.
If farmers use a grain probe, they will have to use some type of sieve or colander to sift the insects out.
Regional Extension row crop agents across the state can help producers develop monitoring strategies as well as identify insects. Farmers can locate one by calling the county Extension office.
Flanders adds that not all bugs are created equal.
"There are definitely several kinds - weevils and lesser grain borers - that cause far more damage than the other insects commonly found in grain bins. These types are particularly problematic because they attack whole kernels."
If farmers discover insects in their wheat, they have several options.
- They can sell the wheat, while insect populations are still low
- Flanders says producers may find it necessary to fumigate the grain bin.
- One other alternative is to move grain from one bin to another and spray it with a grain protectant as it is moved.
More information on monitoring stored grain can be found at http://www.aces.edu/dept/grain/StoredGrainInformation.php.
Posted by lawremc at August 20, 2008 09:37 AM
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