Grain storage guide

From grain store preparation to final dispatch, our guidance will help you minimise loss of premiums, through claims and rejections. It looks at how to identify and manage hazards/risks and details the main grain storage targets (e.g. for moisture, temperature and cooling).

Compared with selling grain at, or near, harvest, later-sold grain usually gets a higher price (providing market specifications are met). Typically, feed wheat sold for a November movement attracts a £4/t premium over the harvest price, with May movement providing a further £7/t. Such economic incentives mean grain is often stored for a long time before processing. During this time, grain quality and safety may deteriorate, without appropriate intervention.

Since the first edition (1999), our Grain storage guide has become a key reference for most assurance schemes. The guidance aims to help minimise risks in the supply chain and safeguard food safety for consumers. The original edition was endorsed by, among others, AIC, NFU, UKFM and MAGB. The fourth edition (2021) makes the content easier to navigate and understand.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) is a risk-based approach that identifies, evaluates and controls hazards. It can be used within grain stores to help meet marketplace demands and expectations for safe food and feed.

Thorough grain store preparation and hygiene, no matter how long the storage period, helps reduce/eliminate grain storage risks. In addition to cleaning, it is essential that equipment is fit for purpose, with sufficient staff training provided.

The main causes of spoilage in stored grain are fungi, insects and mites. Learn about the key pest species and how temperature and moisture content influence their growth and reproduction.

Grain is a ‘living’ crop – it respires and is susceptible to infection by moulds and infestation by pests. It is important to monitor temperature and moisture content and to use targets to inform store management.

It is important to understand and manage the quality of your grain. As part of this, accurate sampling is required to guide management and provide a robust record of all the grain that leaves the farm.