The harvester settings and capacity, the grains' moisture level, and seeds during the harvesting period, the heat damage level and kernel breaking during the harvesting process determine the quality of harvested grains and seeds. Several of these factors are indeed much more difficult unless they turn out tough to control. At the same time, the grain and seed quality begins deteriorating once harvesting has begun. Therefore, the farmers have to be quick to remove the dirt and impurities at the earliest for saving the grains and seeds from deterioration. Only then can they store high-quality grains, seeds and produce for the end users.
Pre-Cleaning the Grains Before Storing Them Has Two Significance
1. The grains gains added value with the dirt, impurities and damaged particles being removed.
2. Grain is ensured a long life when it is kept in storage.
So, Why Should Grains Be Necessarily Cleaned Before Storage?
Fines or foreign matter, like particles smaller in size than grains and dirt, are likely to collect in the areas inside the storage silo. Now, these pockets of fines are capable of causing hot spots inside the silo that further adversely affects the grains or seeds' aeration. It even results in moisture collection in these areas where the grains could face rot, mould and more damage.
Inside the silo, the additional impurities start occupying the valuable storage, which needs further cleaning at extra cost. This unnecessary additional cost can be avoided by cleaning the grains before they are sent to storage. It is possible the impurities are containing harmful or poisonous particles likely to bring up further damage, thereby affecting the grain and seed quality negatively.
Cleaned grains and seeds are assured of higher quality, hence they will surely benefit the farmers with a better price compared to unclean grains full of impurities. The producer might lack storage facilities, still, when the grains and seeds are clean, higher returns on investment are a guarantee for the producer. Grains rejected by the buyers as well as by the co-operatives, generally end up undergoing additional and cost-inducive cleaning and being re-submitted to the seller. By cleaning the grains and seeds before commercializing, all these unwanted costs can be easily avoided.
Grain cleaners are important equipment for cleaning any grain types, beans and seeds. At the time analyzing the elements likely to impact the grain quality, the grain producer has to consider procuring the grain cleaner seriously. By estimate, the grain cleaner cost is normally recouped over two or three seasons, therefore purchasing them is indeed a beneficial solution.
Written By: Kurt and Merey Walter with 13+ years of experience and IASG membership.