Ag-Bag

Ag-Bag

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.

I’ve had several recent conversations with farmers about problems with the rail system and shipping out of various ports in terms of grain. Solution… Store your grain. A lot of producers have gone to on farm storage. But the potential downsides of on-farm storage bin ownership include the cost and the time needed for maintenance and monitoring. The one-time-use plastic bag addresses some of these concerns according to Craig Abell, a Syngenta business development manager. "If you have a big crop, it's a really economical way to have temporary storage, compared to a $250,000 grain bin," And for growers who rent acreage, renting on-farm storage space may be possible. The biggest challenge is managing stored grain throughout the winter and spring to minimize spoilage. Abell compares on-farm storage to having children on the farm. They both require care. For off-farm storage, investing in condominium storage space or renting storage space built by commercial elevators are two alternatives. Elevators can usually build storage space at a lower per-unit cost than a grower can, and the elevator takes on maintenance duties.

 

Ultimately, the best storage option or combination of options for a grower will depend on the relative costs and how each fits into a farm's overall system, which is the most important point to remember. Don't look at storage in isolation. Make sure harvesting, storage and transportation all fit together.

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