Damp, tough conditions – tips for drying cereal grains

For producers dealing with tough or damp grain, grain dryers will likely be in demand. It is important to understand that each crop tolerates supplemental heat differently - be sure to follow recommended settings for the crop being dried. It is also recommended to not remove more than six per cent moisture in one pass through a heated air dryer. Maximum safe drying guidelines are based on not drying to more than one per cent below recommended moisture content.

Wheat can be damaged when air temperatures are too high. Care should be taken for milling wheat to keep the grain temperature in any part of the dryer from exceeding 60 C. To achieve this, recommendations are that air temperatures in non-circulating batch dryers and crossflow continuous dryers not exceed 60 C. Air temperature in recirculating batch dryers should not exceed 60-70 C. Parallel flow continuous dryers should not have air temperatures exceeding 70 C.

The Winter Wheat Production Manual, available online, provides some good suggestions for operating grain dryers.

Grain dryers are an excellent tool available to assist producers when harvest conditions are wet, damp or tough. Just like any other tool, following safe operating procedures and guidelines will keep everyone safe and come out with a better product in the end.

Crop

Drying guidelines*

(Air temperature in degrees Celsius)

Barley – seed or malt 45

Rye 45 (maltsters in Canada prefer that barley not be dried by the producer) Barley – commercial use 55

Barley, Oats, Rye, Wheat 80-100

– feed

Oats – seed 50

Oats – commercial use 60

Rye – commercial use 60

Wheat – seed 60

Wheat – commercial use 65 (excessive heat can reduce the suitability of the wheat for bread making)

*Summarized from Canadian Grain Commission

An Organic Research Workshop will be held in Swift Current on October 31 and November 1 to share the latest information about organic farming.

Day one on October 31 features a program which will include a producer panel of on-farm research project participants, panel and discussion about glyphosate contamination impacts for the organic sector, a grain buyer’s forum, adding value to Sk-grown organic crops, and more.

The program on Friday, November 1 switches to organic research presentations on topics including: Cover crop blends and their impact on the following cash crop; intercropping with grain and forage crops; living mulches and their role in crop rotations; weed control.

Full details on the event and to register, visit http:// saskorganics.org/event/ organic-research-workshop-swift-current-sk/