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.
Commercial Technical Manager
Selko Feed Additives
What does the future look like for grain markets throughout the remainder of 2023? Uncertain, volatile, and unpredictable all seem accurate descriptors. As severe weather conditions threaten this year’s harvest and stocks are projected to end on lower than predicted levels, the entire feed industry must safeguard grain as much as possible through the foreseeable future.
Data and market dynamics support the recommendation to safeguard grain supplies. According to ING’s global wheat market report, global wheat ending stocks for 2022/2023, will be around 268 million mt, the lowest level since 2016/2017. Wheat production in Ukraine has taken a big hit as the ongoing conflict has affected not only production but the ability to export. Although the Black Sea Grain Initiative allowed for larger quantities to be exported, huge supply risks still exist.
In contrast, good growing conditions in Russia suggest farmers can expect a record harvest exceeding 90 million mt. Russia’s farmers have also been able to continue exporting grain and though levels were quite low during the initial phase of the conflict, export activity has recently picked up.
International demand for corn remains a big concern. Ever-changing weather conditions, especially in Argentina, are making it difficult for farmers to catch up on planting. Predictions that Brazil will achieve record production of between 125 and 130 million ton could help offset the challenges in Argentina. Concern about the current situation in Ukraine persists, as production has been very low, and delayed planting fuels the uncertainty even more.
With grain availability is getting a lot of attention, quality should not be forgotten. Many quality factors are uncontrollable, especially when the crops are still on the field. Extreme weather conditions including drought and historic rainfall, create the perfect environment for microbes, especially moulds, to grow. When these moulds are put under stress, mycotoxins are formed.
Aflatoxin B1 is quite prevalent at the moment and generating a lot of concern. When crops are already at elevated risk of moulds and mycotoxins, putting 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.
Some questions that can help define the risk level and appropriate risk mitigation include:
– What are the current storage conditions, including temperature, humidity, and aeration?
– What are the moisture levels of the stored material and are they within the recommended range for the specific type of grain?
– What is the microbial load in the grain bulk?
– Are there visible signs of spoilage, such as mould growth, bad smell or discolouration in the grains?
– How long will the grains be stored?
The answers to these questions will help determine the most effective preservation strategies. Regardless of grain quality upon arrival, it is important that the storage area is clean and free from debris, dirt, insects or pests like rodents and birds. Assurance of clean conditions is of particular importance when storing grains after a contaminated load and it may be necessary to fumigate the area before loading new material.
Intact grains stored in a cool, well-ventilated area will show the lowest risk of deterioration by microbes. When temperatures rise above 30°C, spoilage rates can increase. The best storage temperature for most grains is between 10°C and 15°C. Every time grains are handled, the risk of damage to the protective outer layer increases. Once the outer layer is cracked or broken, the grain’s core is exposed, allowing for easier access by moulds and other microbes which will consume its nutrients, degrading the expected nutritional values.
Despite precautions, it is inevitable that grains sometimes arrive with visible damage. To prevent further development of microbes already present, it may be necessary to transfer grains to another silo for treatment with organic acid blends. However, it is recommended that the movement of stored grain is minimized.
Regular sampling and quality checks, as well as installing moisture and temperature sensors in the storage silos can help support grain quality efforts. Constant monitoring of grain quality is required to allow for timely actions should any issues arise.
ORGANIC ACID PRESERVATION
Organic acid application can help ensure that the nutritional value remains intact throughout grains’ shelf life. Fylax® Grain is Selko’s most recent development in short-term grain preservation. This product functions as a cost-effective tool that helps grain storage facilities and feed processors reduce harmful microbes quickly and thoroughly. Even when grains are not stored for prolonged times at the feed mill, data shows that microbes can proliferate to harmful levels within 24-48 hours after storage. Particularly for flat storage or vertical storage silos with insufficient insulation, temperature fluctuations and condensation can cause moisture levels to increase, creating more favourable conditions for moulds, yeast and bacteria to develop.
Fylax Grain is a potent blend of buffered and non-buffered organic acids and their salts and has been shown to effectively reduce moulds and Enterobacteriaceae in grain (figure 1). Effective microbial inhibition with Fylax Grain helps to preserve nutritional value and extend the shelf life of grains and raw materials.
BLENDED BENEFITS
Because the antimicrobial effectiveness varies between organic acids, applying a blend of acids is recommended over applying simple blends or even single acids. Each acid has its optimal pH that enables undissociated molecules to effectively penetrate and deactivate harmful microbes. The mode of action deployed by different acids explains why carefully selected blends show a significantly higher impact on microbial reduction when compared to simple blends or single acids. Buffering acids not only makes them safer to handle, but also allows for the slow release of acids, creating a long-lasting effect.
IMPORTANCE OF APPLICATION TECHNIQUES
Selko’s expertise and knowledge of grain management coupled with its portfolio of innovative products applied through tailor made dosing equipment supports grain producers, storage facilities and feed processing plants. As part of its service package, Selko assists with identifying critical control points, sampling, and analysis to allow for the most effective solution and inclusion. Once these are identified, state-of-the art dosing equipment can be installed to ensure safe, effective, and even distribution of products. Depending on the type of storage facility, systems can be installed at the receiving pit or transportation lines for accurate product application.
Selko developed its Continuous Dosing System (CDS) with a particular focus on the needs of grain and raw materials treated with liquid products. The CDS provides fully automatic and safe dosing, optimum dividing, as well as controlled and measured inclusion rates.
IN CONCLUSION
Proper storage management practices are essential to maximising grain storage life. Preventing losses during storage, both quantitative and qualitative, comes down to three main areas:
1. Understanding the local situation and implementing storage management practices such as regular inspection, maintenance, and cleaning of the storage facilities
2. Applying effective storage techniques, such as aeration, avoiding over filling the storage area and preserving grains with organic acid blends
3. Regular monitoring and quality checks to detect issues and introduce interventions early, to prevent financial impact
While no one can predict the future with certainty, implementing a holistic approach to preserve and protect grain offers a long-term strategy to minimise losses, maximise grain availability, optimise quality and help feed the future.
About Pieter Steyn
Pieter Steyn is Selko’s commercial technical manager for the Raw Material Quality Programme. In his current position he provides technical and commercial support to internal teams, as well as customers around the globe. He has a passion for safe feed production, with a focus on feed ingredients and raw materials.
Originally from South Africa, Pieter gained his experience through various sales- and technical positions within the agricultural industry in that region. For the past three years he’s residing in the Netherlands and has been traveling around the world, while sharing and expanding his knowledge and experience in effective grain preservation.
