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 the link at the bottom for more 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.