Harvest is one of the busiest times of the year for Iowa farmers, and keeping combines moving is only part of the equation. Getting grain from the field into storage efficiently can make a major difference in how smoothly the season progresses. Even with careful preparations, some problems with grain handling systems may not become apparent until equipment is put to the test.
Randy Sheley, grain conditioning specialist with GSI, says farmers should take time to evaluate their grain handling operations while the challenges of this year’s harvest are still fresh in their minds.
Sheley says farmers should consider whether their existing equipment is keeping up with the demands of their operations. Delays unloading trucks, moving grain through receiving systems or getting grain dried can all point to areas where improvements may be needed.
One of the most common limitations Sheley encounters is insufficient grain drying capacity. After more than 40 years working with grain dryers, he says he has only encountered one customer who believed they might have purchased a dryer that was too large.
As farms grow and yields increase, equipment that once handled the workload may no longer be sufficient. Sheley says those changes can create challenges throughout the grain handling process, particularly when drying capacity cannot keep pace with the amount of grain being harvested.
Taking time to identify those limitations can help farmers prioritize future improvements. Sheley encourages producers to review their operations after harvest, consider where delays occurred, and determine whether changes to their grain handling systems could improve efficiency in the years ahead.
