ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2023 29 them into storage may increase the risk for further microbe development and ultimately spoilage. It is estimated that 600 million ton of grains are lost during the storage phase each year across the global grain supply chain. Optimal preservation strategies coupled with effective storage management are crucial to safeguarding grain quality, preventing spoilage, and maintaining crops’ nutritional value. Reducing grain loss during storage every year can support farmers’ efforts to feed a growing population. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY Grain loss can be divided in two categories across the food chain: quantitative loss and qualitative loss. Quantitative loss refers to the physical or measurable losses in terms of volume or weight of grains. Factors like spilling, leakage, moisture evaporation and infestation by pests or rodents can significantly impact the physical volume of harvested material. These factors directly influence the total quantity of grains available for feed production. Qualitative losses refer to the loss of quality, or deterioration in the intrinsic characteristics of grains. These losses include changes in nutritional value, taste, texture, colour or aroma. Qualitative losses are typically caused by temperature and moisture fluctuations, mould growth or bacteria development, especially when exposed to air. While qualitative losses can be more difficult to measure than quantitative losses, they can have a tremendous impact on the suitability of grains for consumption or processing. Understanding that grain availability is expected to remain unpredictable this year, storage periods will certainly be longer than usual. Importantly, it is impossible to increase the quality of grains by applying any preservation technique, and what is lost is lost forever. However, implementing effective preservation methods can prevent further degradation. STORAGE STRATEGIES Maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity levels, managing pests, and minimising handling and transportation damage, are some proper storage practices that can help reduce quantitative and qualitative losses in grains. As the risk level for specific plants can differ greatly, it is important to answer some risk determination questions.
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