When planning to store in plastic bags, it is recommended that the following course of action relating to moisture content and storage periods of time be followed:
Grain
Low
(*)
Medium/Low
Medium/High
Soy,
Corn, Wheat
Up
to 14%
14
- 16%
Greater
than 16%
Sunflower
Up
to 11%
11
- 14%
Greater
than 14%
(*) For seed grain
these values must be lowered by 1 - 2%
Evaluation of risk takes into consideration the moisture content of the grain at the time of bagging, the normal aging process of the bag, and the possibility of the bag being damaged by external agents. As the outside temperature ascends, the risk for the grain increases; when there is a high presence of foreign matter and impurities, the risk increases; when there is mechanical damage to the grain, the risk increases. These are general guiding principles, and the variables involved cannot be easily quantified or given absolute values.
The important thing to bear in mind is that checking the bags and its contents on a regular basis is of the utmost importance. Adequate monitoring will ensure that if any anomaly is detected, corrective action can be taken at an early stage to preserve grain integrity. As an example of one practical consequence of proper controls, the grain that is damp, that has the higher moisture content, that is damaged or that contains the most amount of foreign elements and impurities should be the grain that is sold off first, while grain that is dry and clean can be put up for sale at a later date.
So
remember: as with all technologies, bagging requires care at every stage to preserve grain quality and integrity.
