Grain Storage Systems in
Tennessee and Alabama
Charles Patrick, UT
Kathy Flanders, Alabama Cooperative
Extension System
Upright Grain Bins
• More wheat and corn produced in 2008
• On-farm storage increased 50% or more in
2008
• New grain bins of usually >25,000 bu, much
larger than older bins (<10,000 bu)
• Producers willing to hold grain longer
• Lack of knowledgs of the problems that may
occur
Upright Bins 2008
44,000 bushel size
Grain Bag Systems
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Grain Bag systems new to Tennessee
First year usage was 2007
Average bag holds 7,500 bushels grain
Several producers stored wheat in 2008
Bags made from 10 mil plastic
Grain Bagger
Potential Problems with Bags
• Not safe from animal damage
• Potential leakage of water into bags
• Cannot aerate once bagged
Bag System
Using Insect Probe
Placement of Probes
Sealing off Probe
Bags
• Insecticide treatments may be needed
• Bagged wheat in Tennessee was treated with
Storcide II to prevent possible insect
problems. There is less control over the grain
stored in bags once sealed.
Equipment for Bagging
• Specialized equipment is required to bag grain
with the bagging equipment. Costs are about
• $40000 for bagger and unloader. A couple of
producers in Tennessee went in together to
purchase the equipment. There is limited
usage of this equipment at this time, however;
it may be used more as time passes.
Bag Loading System
Results of the Bagging Demonstration
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Wheat: Crockette County Bags
Bag #1, #2, #3..
Temp(average)70.3F
Moisture(average)14.5%
Insects(average)
Field Days and Workshops
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Regional or Multi-State
To help stakeholders store grain safely
SLAM IPM program
Fumigation safety
Closed loop fumigation
Tennessee Valley Stored Grain IPM
Workshop
Milan No-Till Field Day
Russ Patrick discussing the
bagging demonstration
Jim Sharpe, DeGeschAmerica,
talking about the importance of
fumigation management plans
Precision Ag Field Day, NW Alabama
Extension Agent Warren Griffith explaining the importance of
stored grain IPM to the media
On-Farm Demonstrations in Alabama 2008
Closed Loop Fumigation Systems
West Central,
Northeast, and
North Alabama