Low prices and a good harvest can weigh heavily on farmers.
Combines are rolling in the fields but now the questions center around what to sell and what to store. And then producers need to consider how much to store and does your farm have enough storage?
For farms expecting average to above-average yields this year, the availability of storage may be a limiting factor.
On the other hand, some farms may be expecting lower yields may not have enough production to fill their current storage. These empty grain bins may present an opportunity for farms in need of additional storage.
Then we have to think regionally. If North Carolina corn farmers want to continue increasing their grain production to help meet the feed demand of the state’s hog and poultry industries, they will need to increase on-farm grain storage to market their crop beyond harvest when commodity prices are typically lower.
Then once we have the grain stored, we have to think about keeping it safe.
Keeping the grain protected from pests during storage is needed to preserve all of the hard work that went into planting, growing and harvesting. Pests can reduce quality, cause feeding damage and lower test weights.
What if you want to build a new storage bin? What goes into completing such a project and what should you keep in mind if you decide this is the path for your farm.
And with the prices below the basis in parts of the country, producers may have to get creative with their storage ideas this fall.
The challenge for farmers across the country is to determine the grain storage system your farm needs so that the system pays for itself and makes a profit.
Check out this collection of stories from Farm Progress that take a look at grain storage issues, solutions and more.