Posted: 2/24/2008 3:39:21 PM EDT
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We have a farm up in Missouri where where we grow wheat and corn. I am thinking of just getting corn and wheat and sealing it in large barrels, then rotate it every few years by just dumping the old in with grain going to market, and replacing it with fresh. What kind of barrels would I need? I have seen grain stored in grain bins for several years without harm. |
| I use open top 55 gallon barrels that used to hold chocolate syrup and a soy based printers ink (yes, you could drink it, no, I don't think I will!). I also have a 100 bushel steel "cone" bin out in the back yard. It's full. How long could a family last with 100 bushels of shell corn? I dunno but I'd wager a couple of years if they had anything at all to supplement it with. That's the failsafe..... |
Or just pile it up in the shed   Just remember the storage life of grain is directly related to the moisture content and temperature being stored at. 12% corn will last longer than 16% corn, and corn stored at 50 degrees will last far longer than at 80 degrees. I have some tables giving this somewhere. Also, you may get some insect activity started in your storage container - That's why grain bins are dusted with malathion before filling. |
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Maximum storage time in months for shelled corn * Corn Corn Moisture Content Temp. 13% 14% 15% 16% 17% 18% 40°F....150...61...29.0 15.0 9.5...6.1 50°F......84...34...16.0 8.9...5.3...3.5 60°F......47...19.....9.2 5.0...3.0...1.9 70°F..... 26...11.....5.2 2.8...1.7...1.1 80°F..... 15....6......2.9 1.6...0.9...0.9 [*Based on 0.5% maximum dry matter loss – calculated on the basis of USDA research at Iowa State University.] |