What conditions would make stored product more susceptible to stored grain damage?
Warm, moist or weedy crops would be most susceptible to damage. Warm or moist grain will contribute to moisture migration within a bin. These conditions can cause locations within the bin where grain will spoil and result in insect infestation, mite and mold development. In fall the outside of the bin cools quickly. The cool heavy air associated within the bin wall drops, while the warmer air, located in the interior rises, causing a circular flow within the bin. This air pattern deposits moisture, through condensation, at the top center of the bin. In spring the reverse occurs, where warming from the sun warms the outside layer, causing a circular air movement depositing moisture at the bottom of the bin. Moulds that develop give off additional heat and moisture, resulting in a microclimate more favorable for stored grain insect populations. Mold byproducts can be toxic if fed to farm animals. The more moisture in the grain, the more likely it is to have a zone with enough moisture to
