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Investing in grain bags benefits MO farmers
A Midwest Missouri farmer says he doesn’t regret his decision to invest in grain bagging equipment for this fall’s harvest.
“It kept the machine running and we didn’t really have to stop.”
Garrett Riekhoff said the corn harvest was great, but the grain elevator and existing farm warehouses filled up quickly.
“There’s grain in bags, big boxes, small boxes, grain in boxes with bad augers, grain in boxes with really nice augers,” he says. “We’re equal opportunity. If it’s got grain in it, it’s got grain in it from all the farmers I’m talking about.”
Riekhoff said it’s unusual for farmers to store grain in bags in that part of Missouri because of the instability.
“It’s a bunch of grain sitting in the middle of a dirt field, but when will we be able to get back there and get the trailer truck and heavy equipment? During the winter, we normally do deliveries. However, removing the grain from the bag is always more of a hassle than pulling it up the gravel path to the dumpster.”
Moisture in the grain is also a concern with bag storage, but Riekhoff says the grain is very dry at harvest and will remain in good condition in the four grain storage bags until grain delivery in the new year. It should be dripping.
“The first grain we will sell will come out of the bags as field conditions permit.”
Riekhoff said his corn harvest finished in early October, although there are still farmers in the area trying to finish their corn harvest.
