Grain Storage Systems for Future Farmers

Project Profile: New Grain Systems for the Next Generation

Each year at FS Construction Services we get to interact with so many different clients, each with their own specific needs, hopes, and problems to solve. It’s not unusual with our agriculture clients for us to be working late in the summer, or even early fall, to get new grain storage systems installed or repaired as harvest quickly approaches. And we get it. Things break, yields are different than expected, the market changes. Farming will always have a certain unpredictability to it and sometimes all you can do is roll with the punches. Occasionally, however, we get the chance to work with someone who finds themselves in a position where they have the time and the resources to put some equipment in place to help navigate the unplanned things when they come.

Grain Storage Systems for Future Farmers

Last summer, we had the opportunity to work with a client who was looking to add to his existing grain systems for future farmers. Initially, he was only looking to add a drying system to an existing bin, but as he began to think about the next generation of farmers on his land, he decided to do a little more planning. So we also built a brand-new 42’ tall, 7-ring grain bin with a bushel capacity of 34,000. This new structure would be an ideal cooling bin for the new drying system. As for that drying system, we installed a 30’ Shivvers system, which is able to dry 10,000 bushels per day. Additionally, we added two Blue Flame Fan and Heaters with Turbo Boosters.

Thankfully, our client was in a position to act on his forward thinking and should now be comfortably set for quite a long time. If you are in need grain storage or grain drying equipment, whether you’re looking to build something from the ground up or retrofit an existing structure, we have a wide variety of options and our expert team works quickly and efficiently. Additionally, if you have any questions about grain storage, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Economic benefits of proper grain storage

The Huge Economic Benefits of Proper Grain Storage

One of our most frequent jobs here at FS Construction Services is the planning and construction of new grain storage bins. So while it stands to reason that we obviously believe they provide value, we thought it might be helpful to reinforce just how many economic benefits proper grain storage provides.

Because grain market prices are often lowest during harvest, most growers understandably hold on to their grain for a little while until prices rise. Unfortunately, grain can’t simply be dumped and forgotten until it’s needed again. The better the grain is stored, the less likely it is to be spoiled or ravaged by pests. According to an article in Illinois Ag News, improperly stored grain can cost farmers up to 20% of their yield. The alarming, though perhaps not surprising reality, is that it doesn’t take much to significantly alter the quality of the grain being stored. Dry corn, which is defined as having 13% or less moisture, can be stored up to a year at 30˚F. However, just four days at 26% moisture and 60˚F can cut that corn’s storage life in half.

An old or poorly maintained storage bin is not only at risk of letting in too much moisture, but also harmful pests that can ruin your stored harvest. On the flip side, properly built, maintained and operationally efficient bulk grain storage can provide: lower labor/operating costs, less waste, better fumigation, and longer storage times.

So while high quality grain storage and handling systems do have an upfront investment for the grower, the benefits will be recognized, year after year, with good grain that can wait for the ideal market price to come around.

Once such instance occurred recently when our team of grain storage professionals installed a new Shivvers Remote LINK Grain Management System. With a simple login from his smartphone, our customer was able to manage his drying operation remotely and track the system’s performance. Advantages like this and many other are making it more profitable than ever for growers to maximize the return on their harvest.

If your grain storage is in need of a update or you have questions about the most current grain drying and storage equipment, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Monitoring Moisture to Maximize Your Soybean Yield

We know corn harvest has been a mixed bag – and definitely down – this year. As corn harvest progresses, the weather cools and we (hope to) get a bit more rain, now is the time to focus on maximizing your upcoming soybean crop and care for it once it’s in the bin.

Studies at the University of Illinois have shown that the average combine leaves 10 percent of the soybean crop in the field. However, by harvesting at a higher moisture content, these losses can be reduced to 4-5 percent. In addition, market weight (and thus value) decrease about 1.15 percent per point of moisture below 13 percent. Again, there’s a case for maximizing value through moisture.

With the advantages documented at those moisture levels, it’s time to have your grain drying plan ready and in place. Because beans have such high oil content, you’ll want to be especially careful in monitoring your bins every day or two. Even though beans typically only require aeration to get them in proper condition, you’ll still want to monitor airflow and the need for heat.

To review your options and set your plan of attack, we recommend taking a look at the FS Grain Drying Guide on our site. You’ll find 60 pages of information on different drying systems and the specifics for drying corn, soybeans, wheat and milo. The facts in the guide can lead to a true increase in your harvest revenue – something vitally important in challenging growing years such as 2012.

 

Opportunity Arises for Purchasing Grain Systems

With an already wild first half of the year, FS Construction Services strongly suggests that now may be the perfect time to purchase grain drying, storage or handling equipment for your farm. Farmers and landowners have plummeting steel prices to thank for the opportunity.

According to statistics provided by Growmark, since January 2012 multiple costs are down, creating a more plausible reason to make the investment.

  • Scrap is down 19%
  • Cold-rolled coils down 16%
  • Hot-dipped galvanized down 15%
  • Rebar down 13%

Reduced grain production and this dip in steel prices is affecting manufacturers and has created a need to move equipment, such as grain bins, out in order to make room for the new. FS Construction Services offers grain systems products from brands such as GSI, Lowry, Sukup, Grain Handler, Brock and more.

If you’re considering looking ahead and making the investment, we suggest talking with us at FS Construction Services to look at your options. Give us a call today at 866-551-3454, and we’ll help you make the most profitable decision for your situation.

 

 

Farm Storage Facility Loan Program

For some landowners, considering an update in grain systems or upgrade in storage sizing may seem unattainable due to upfront costs and initial investment. But for those who qualify, and many do, the USDA Farm Service Agency offers the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL). FSFL provides low-interest financing for producers to build or upgrade their grain storage and handling facilities. With coordination and building from FS Construction Services, off-season promotions from our largest grain system suppliers and FSFL – acquiring a new grain storage structure is possible.

There are multiple factors that contribute to one’s eligibility including qualifying commodity type, approval by the local FSA county committee, structure lifespan of at least 15 years whether new or renovated, as well as security requirements, among others.

The maximum loan amount through FSFL is $500,000 per loan with eligible cost items such as purchase price and sales tax, shipping and delivery, site preparation and installation and attorney or archaeological study fees.

The Grain Systems Department at FS Construction Services not only provides these qualifying facilities from GSI, Brock, Lowry, Sukup, Shivvers and Hutchinson, but we’ll also work with you to begin the FSFL application process. Pursuing these upgrades and updates now ensures profitability and return on investment because of the optimal level at which you can store your grain. Let us work with you to get a plan in place.

For more information on FSFL, visit the Fact Sheet on the FSA section of the USDA website or call us at 866-551-3454 to investigate your options.

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Secure Your Grain Storage, Handling and Drying Upgrades Now

With the recent conclusion of harvest and the cold weather now closing in, Gateway FS suggests now as the time to prepare for next season. As you plan your seed orders in the coming months, have you considered the addition of that 20,000-bushel (or larger) grain bin you’ve had an eye on? Or maybe you’ve looked into a new option for your grain drying or handling. Gateway FS encourages you to take the steps towards acquiring those upgrades now.

Many of our suppliers offer premium discount pricing as the year comes to a close and while farmers are considering equipment updates needed for maximized production next season. The sooner you research and secure your purchase, the deeper the discounts you’ll receive. If you’re unsure about which grain system upgrade will be most beneficial, contact our Grain Systems department for help with your decision.

Some of our suppliers offering off-season discounts include:

GSI
Shivvers
Hutchinson
Sukup
Brock
Lowry

For more information regarding the discounts you can receive on your equipment upgrades, contact us today.

Grain Systems – Glen Muench – 866.551.3454 – Email

Grain Systems (Southern) – Nathan Koester – 618.528.2395 – Email