Farmers learn to protect grain

LEIGHTON - Farmers from across north Alabama were in the Shoals on Thursday to learn how to better protect their grain.

Many of the farmers at the stored grain pest management workshop at Tri-Green Equipment in Leighton said they were learning more about storing wheat, corn and

soybeans.

"We are probably the least experienced region of the country when it comes to storing grain," said Brian Glenn, who is president of the Lawrence County Farmer's

Federation.

Kathy Flanders, an extension entomologist with Auburn University, said there are two major factors that affect the way southern farmers store grain - heat and

humidity.

"There are some things farmers can do to protect themselves, but if they don't, they can provide the perfect environment for bugs to grow," Flanders said.

The day-long session, which concluded with seminars at Northwest-Shoals Community College, featured several speakers from across the state who spoke about harvesting and drying grain, how to monitor for insects and how to store the grain.

Don Glenn, of Hillsboro, said he began storing grain in the early 1990s and he believes that it is a valuable asset for

farmers.

"Being able to store it increases your marketing options," he said.

Farmers have suffered through a late spring freeze and a summer-long drought this year and have had very little to store.

"Most of what we were able to harvest this year was already contracted out, so we haven't stored much," Glenn said.

Tim Reed, Alabama Cooperative Extension System agent for Franklin County, said there is about 100,000 acres of grain harvested in Franklin, Lawrence, Colbert and Lauderdale counties.

The ability to store grain depends on several variables, Flanders said.

"There are different aspects for taking care of stored grain," Flanders said. "Sanitation is important. Making sure that the bins are clean and that the grain is loaded at the right moisture content are very important."

One of the last resorts of protecting grain is the use of fumigation, but Flanders said that has to be done very carefully.

"There are laws that you have to follow very carefully," she said.

"But the more you do, the better the quality of your grain will be."

Jonathan Willis can be reached at 332-0140 or jonathan.willis@timesdaily.com.