Winter Canola Storage

• Canola storage may require a closer watch than is required for wheat.
• Transportation and storage equipment should be checked for leaks and taped or caulked. Canola will leak from very small holes.
• Storage requires consideration of moisture, temperature, and soundness of the container.
• Seed moisture should be 8 to 10%, and if drying is necessary temperature should not exceed 110 degrees F. Relative humidity should be kept below 65%, and long term storage temperature at 50 degrees F or lower.
• Canola can continue to "breathe" for up to 6 to 8 weeks after harvest before becoming dormant. Monitor regularly and use aeration fans to avoid heating.
• Every reduction of 10 degrees F below 77 degrees F and 1% seed moisture below 9% will double the storage live of canola.
• Sealed round metal bins are best for storage.

Storing Canola

• Canola will store at less than 10% moisture.
  • At 100 degrees outside temperature, the seed temp will be 20 degrees higher on average.
  • Use grain levelers in all gins when unloading canola.
  • Fines, dirt and weed seed will collect in the center of bin, if not leveled, and cause heating.
  • Aeration - the bigger the gin, the more difficult it will be to move air thru the grain (push air thru, not pull)
  • Consider adding a layer of wheat on bottom of bin to cover up aeration pad, and start air movement evenly.

Watching Stored Canola in Bins

• Monitor Bins Frequently
  • Seed needs to be rotated if heating occurs
  • Larger bins create increased potential for heating related problems with the seed
  • Outside/Inside fluctuations in temperature will cause changes in the stored seed.
  • Once seed reaches 8%, storage problems are minimized. (Continue to Monitor Bins!)

Trucking Seed

• If Canola seed has been properly stored, trucking seed should not cause problems.
• The same should be true of railcars.
• Low humidity along with high temperatures reduced chances for storage related losses.