Winter is coming, and if you’re like most farmers, that means months of checking bins, worrying about hot spots, and making middle-of-the-night trips to the yard. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Here are five things you can do right now to set yourself up for a stress-free winter.
1. Get your baseline readings
Before temps drop, document the current state of every bin. Temperature at each cable position, moisture levels, what grain is where. This becomes your reference point for the entire winter.
If you’re using GrainLink, this happens automatically—but even if you’re doing it manually, write it down.
2. Check your cables
A sensor cable that works in September might not work in January. Cold, moisture, and rodent damage can all take their toll. Now is the time to test everything and replace anything questionable.
Pro tip: Keep a spare cable on hand. Nothing worse than finding a dead cable when it’s -30° outside.
3. Set your thresholds
Decide now what temperature or humidity change should trigger action. Don’t wait until you’re staring at a problem to figure out your plan.
For most grains, you want to be alerted if:
- Temperature rises more than 5°C in a week
- Any cable position exceeds 20°C
- Humidity spikes unexpectedly
4. Test your fans
Run every fan for at least 15 minutes. Listen for weird noises. Check that dampers open and close properly. Make sure motors are in good shape before you need them.
Automated systems like GrainLink can handle fan control for you—but the physical equipment still needs to work.
5. Plan your check schedule
Even with monitoring in place, you should have a regular physical check routine. Weekly walks through the yard, visual inspections, and the occasional hands-on check keep you connected to what’s actually happening.
The goal isn’t to eliminate work—it’s to eliminate surprises. Do the prep work now, and December might actually be enjoyable for once.
Questions? Get in touch—we’re happy to help you set up for a worry-free winter.