Weeds, green, heat increase storage risk

Weed seeds and green canola seeds are at high levels in some canola samples. Weed seeds tend to contain more moisture than canola seeds, especially if they are green or immature. These high-moisture seeds may not be enough to elevate overall grain moisture tests, but if these weed seeds congregate in pockets in the bin they can create localized hot spot for spoilage to begin — especially if that canola is also binned hot. Bits of green weed material in the sample increase the risk.

Green canola seeds can also increase the storage risk, even if canola is dry and cool. Monitor closely.

Small shriveled canola seed counts as dockage but is less likely to increase the storage risk. However, smaller seeded canola will mean smaller air pockets between seeds in the bin. Smaller particles will increase the resistance to air flow.  This makes it even more important to leave the fan on as it will need to work longer to cool the entire bulk.

Canola binned hot, even if it has low moisture, low dockage and low green, should still be put on aeration. This will even out the temperature throughout the bin, and help remove some of the moisture from respiring seed. Even at low moisture, air movements within the bin could concentrate this moisture.