The Canola Council of Canada has some great articles on “What to do with high moisture Canola” and “Snow on Canola – What to do?”
Click link for articles.
Grain moisture, relative humidity and temperature need to be considered when binning your canola. This means high moisture canola can clump/heat in as little as 1 – ½ weeks if not monitored. The following chart gives a rough timeline and is expanded in the “What to do with high moisture canola” article in the link.
These charts should only act as a very rough guide. Assume much fewer safe days in the “real world.”
Important Tips for Best Management when storing canola
• 10% moisture content does not equal safe storage.
• For storage longer than five months, canola should be binned at a maximum of 8% moisture and canola cooled to 15°C or lower throughout the bin.
• Monitor bins closely during the first six weeks in storage and then continue to check stored canola regularly until delivery.
• If stored canola temperatures plateau or start to rise while outside air cools through the winter, it can signal the start of spoilage.
Grain bag storage tips:
• Store only dry seed.
• Store for short duration.
• Monitor with temperature probes at least twice per week until temperatures stabilize.
• Watch for rodent activity.
• Clear snow to help prevent deer from walking on bags
• Place in well-drained area.
• Unload before frost goes out of ground in spring.
• Place on grass to prevent stubble from poking holes in the bag.