Ag-Bag
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.