Safe storage temperatures
These are general guidelines for long-term storage (more than 6 months). Short-term holding tolerates slightly higher numbers, but long-term storage is unforgiving.
| Crop | Max moisture (%) | Target storage temp |
|---|---|---|
| Hard red spring wheat | 14.5 | ≤ 15 °C |
| Durum wheat | 14.5 | ≤ 15 °C |
| Barley (feed) | 14.8 | ≤ 15 °C |
| Barley (malt) | 13.5 | ≤ 10 °C |
| Oats | 13.5 | ≤ 15 °C |
| Canola | 8.0 | ≤ 15 °C |
| Flax | 10.0 | ≤ 15 °C |
| Field peas | 16.0 | ≤ 15 °C |
| Lentils | 14.0 | ≤ 15 °C |
| Soybeans | 13.0 | ≤ 15 °C |
Why temperature matters more than you’d think
Spoilage is almost always driven by insect activity, mould growth, and respiration, all of which are temperature-dependent. Cooling grain below 15 °C nearly stops insect reproduction, and below 10 °C nearly stops mould. The single best thing you can do for stored grain is get it cold and keep it cold — even at slightly elevated moisture, cold grain stores well.
Why a rising trend beats an absolute reading
A bin sitting at 18 °C is fine if it has been at 18 °C for two weeks. A bin that climbs from 12 °C to 18 °C over three days is a fire about to happen. This is why GrainLink’s primary alert is temperature rise rate, not absolute value.