7 tips for storing grains correctly. The Brazilian agricultural sector has enjoyed remarkable performance in recent years, contributing significantly to the country’s economy. To maintain and strengthen this growth, it is essential that farmers adopt good grain storage practices. These practices play a crucial role in stabilizing food prices, offering rural producers better conditions to manage their budgets and invest appropriately. In addition, effective storage also reduces post-harvest losses, increasing the supply of food in national markets and contributing to improving the population’s food security.

In this article, we will introduce six crucial measures for storing agricultural products, making field work more efficient and accurate. Let's explore each of them in detail.

1. Take care of cleaning

The first step to efficient grain storage is to ensure that the products are clean and free of impurities. This includes removing plant debris, stones, straw, and other unwanted objects. The presence of these impurities can affect the quality of the grain and make it more susceptible to spoilage and pest infestation. To ensure proper cleaning, farmers may use sieves, magnetic separators, and fans, depending on the type of grain.

2. Focus on Drying

Grain drying plays a crucial role in preventing spoilage, fungal outbreaks, and pest infestations. Maintaining grain moisture levels at the right levels is essential for grain preservation. There are several types of dryers available, including hot air dryers, vacuum dryers, fluidized bed dryers, and tower dryers. The type of dryer chosen will depend on the specific needs of the farmer and the climatic conditions of the region.

3. Introduction of Classification and Selection Criteria

Good storage practices include grading and selecting grains based on criteria such as weight, quality, size and other relevant factors. This grading allows the grains to be determined for their intended use, which may be for human consumption, industrial processing or animal feed. Proper grain selection helps ensure that each batch is directed to its most appropriate use.

4. Using the Correct Structure

It is essential to choose the right storage structure for grains. Grain storage silos, warehouses or storage facilities are ideal for this purpose. These structures must be designed to protect grains from external factors such as sunlight, pests, temperature variations and air humidity. Ideal storage conditions vary according to the type of grain, but in general, it is essential to prioritize ventilation and protection against rodents and insects.

5. Pay Attention to Control

To ensure high-quality storage, it is a good practice to regularly monitor the quality of stored grains. This includes checking for pests, controlling temperature and monitoring humidity. Automated grain monitoring systems are now available that use sensors to alert you to any undesirable changes in storage conditions. Regular monitoring helps to identify problems early and take corrective action.

6. Proper Handling

When grains are removed from the warehouse for use or sale, it is crucial to ensure that they are handled correctly to avoid loss of quality or physical damage. For this purpose, grain elevators or belt conveyors can be used. Careful handling of grains is essential to preserve their integrity and quality, ensuring that they are in perfect condition when used or sold.

7. Regular Pest Monitoring.

It is essential to regularly check stored grain for signs of pest infestation, such as insects or rodents. The use of traps and visual inspections will help identify and control infestations before they cause significant damage to the grain. In addition, the application of preventative measures, such as appropriate insecticides and humidity control, may be necessary to keep grain protected from pests during storage. Constant monitoring is essential to ensure the quality and safety of stored grain.

Seed Storage

Seed preservation is a fundamental part of agriculture, as high-quality seeds are essential for a good harvest. To store seeds correctly, it is important to follow some essential steps:

1. Drying: Seeds must be dried before storage. This is usually done in shaded and ventilated areas, avoiding excessive moisture.

2. Cleaning: Seeds must be cleaned to remove impurities such as fibers, husks, and plant parts. This can be done manually or using fine sieves.

3. Packaging: Seeds should be stored in airtight containers, such as glass jars or sealed plastic bags, to protect them from moisture and light.

4. Labeling: It is important to label the containers with the name of the seed species and the storage date for better control.

Seeds should be stored in dark, cool, dry places with a controlled temperature between 5 and 15 degrees Celsius. It is essential to protect them from light and excessive moisture to ensure they are in ideal conditions for planting.

Discover Storage Systems

There are different storage systems that can be used for agricultural products, depending on the specific needs and conditions of each producer. Some of the most common systems include:

1. Bulk Storage: This system is often used to store grains and oilseeds. Grain storage silos are commonly used and are designed to maintain humidity and prevent pests from entering the storage area.

2. Storage in Bags: This method is suitable for bagged products such as grain, fertilizers, and seeds. The bags should be made of strong materials such as plastic or jute and stacked in warehouses.

3. Cold Storage: This system is designed to store agricultural products, such as fruits and vegetables, at controlled temperatures. This helps to extend the shelf life of these products and reduce waste.

4. Dry Storage: Agricultural products such as onions, roots and tubers are stored dry to prevent the growth of microorganisms and spoilage. These products are stored in places with low humidity and excellent ventilation.

Each storage system has its own advantages and is chosen based on the specific characteristics of the agricultural products and the environmental conditions of the region. Proper maintenance of these systems is essential to ensure that the products are well preserved.

Infrastructure Modernization

To adopt good storage practices, it is important to consider modernizing agricultural infrastructure. This involves planned investments that can add value to farmers’ operations. Many farmers choose to finance the purchase of machinery and equipment to improve storage and production efficiency.

However, an interesting alternative to consider is the agricultural consortium for the acquisition of equipment and infrastructure. This type of financing offers less bureaucracy and more favorable payment conditions for installments, helping to minimize the risk of default and debt.

Investing in modernizing agricultural infrastructure not only improves storage efficiency, but also contributes to increasing the productivity and quality of agricultural products. Therefore, it is essential to explore all available options to ensure that the infrastructure is adequate for the needs of modern agriculture.

In short

In short, the good storage practices Agricultural product storage plays a vital role in ensuring the quality and preservation of grains and seeds. Farmers must follow a series of steps, from cleaning and drying to proper handling, to ensure that their products are in optimal condition. In addition, choosing the right storage system and modernizing infrastructure are key elements for the success of modern agriculture. Investing in modernization not only increases efficiency, but also contributes to the sustainable growth of the Brazilian agricultural sector.