Agronomy • 2023-02-24

Helpful Storage Tips to Protect Your Canola

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Harvest is done and now your canola is safely in the bin, right? While we certainly hope so, it’s important to understand that even dry canola needs to be carefully monitored while in storage to prevent losses associated with spoilage from moisture migration and heating.

When it comes to safe storage in canola, it’s all about maintaining stability. This means lower moisture levels and lower temperatures to protect the high value of your harvested crop. To maintain the optimal quality of canola seed, it should be stored at 8% moisture and 10°C for long term storage canola is considered dry at 10% moisture.

Every +1 percent moisture increase above 12.5% can reduced the shelf life of your stored seed by up to 50%
Important: Monitor the temperature of your canola bins on an ongoing basis with properly anchored temperature cables. Every +5.5°C temperature increase can reduce the shelf life of your stored seed by up to 50%

Here are some helpful tips for protecting your profitability while your canola is in storage:

Canola Storage Tips

1. Start with clean bins.

One of the best ways to prevent spoilage is to start with freshly cleaned bins free of potential contaminants. Harvest residue, dust and other debris often becomes hard packed under flooring, vents and other surface areas, restricting the airflow necessary for maintaining cooler temperatures. Additionally, this foreign material can host insects and diseases, which could potentially damage your canola during storage.

2. Aeration.

Moisture migration within the bin and subsequent heating, especially high temperature fluctuations during the fall and winter, can cause serious problems. Aeration fans are fantastic for uniform circulation in the bin, helping prevent the development of hot spots and keeping your canola cool. Without proper aeration, augering grain between bins or turning over seed within the bin (by removing and replacing at least half the contents) can help prevent convection pockets.

4. Dry seed carefully.

While canola intended for seeding should be dried at less than 45°C or lower, seed for oil extraction can be dried up to 82°C. If your canola is damp, a maximum drying temperature of 71°C is recommended. Monitor drying temperatures carefully to avoid “cooking canola”.

5. Monitoring.

To protect the quality of your canola seed, it needs to be optimally stored at 8% moisture and below 10°C. Pay close attention to temperature monitoring cables as even very minor temperature increases (+1-2°C) can signal the development of hot spots and potential spoilage. When in doubt, check the bin by paying close attention to the top middle section (where moisture and heat tend to migrate in winter). Avoid manual probing that can miss convection pockets. Consult the safe storage chart below to see if your stored canola is at risk.

diagram

8. Be prepared to take action.

Drastic temperature increases in relatively short periods of time, like Prairie chinooks, can drastically affect bin temperatures. Careful monitoring and physical checks are recommended at these times. If temperatures within the bin increase dramatically, immediate cooling (either by aeration or rotating canola from different bins) is essential for minimizing the development of hot spots.