Protecting the Quality, Volume and Value of Stored Grain

No one who stores grain wants to think about insects eating away at profits in the bin. But the reality is simple: anyone, anywhere can get them.

Stored grain insects are not just a nuisance. Left unchecked, they can seriously damage the quality, volume and value of stored grain. For growers, elevators, feed manufacturers, food and beverage processors and other commercial grain handlers, that risk can turn directly into lost revenue, added labor and operational headaches. 

It may sound like a harsh reality. But that reality can be rewritten.

With the right approach, insect infestations do not have to be a cost of doing business. Implementing a strong Grain Protection Protocol can help manage stored grain pests before they become a problem. 

The true cost of insect infestations

One of the biggest misconceptions in stored grain management is that insect control only becomes necessary after insects are seen. But if insects are visible, the infestation is already underway. By that point, grain quality may already be declining, dry matter shrink may already be occurring and the operation may already be facing additional costs to correct the problem. Other financial and operational consequences can include spoilage, dockage penalties, rejected loads, increased handling costs and reduced profitability. In a market where margins are already tight across the grain supply chain, every point of value matters. No one in the grain supply chain can afford to let insects eat away at the grain they worked hard to grow, buy, store, process or deliver.

Insect infestations can cause significant damage in a relatively short period of time in any type of stored grain. For example, Central Life Sciences trial data shows that in as little as 30 days, insects can cause up to a 2.2% dry-matter loss in corn, equating to about 10 cents per bushel.1 In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture estimates that economic losses caused by insects to stored wheat in the U.S. range from 5% to 10% per year, or about 1.25 to 2.5 billion dollars.2And in rice, a lesser grain borer infestation can reduce milling yields by up to 5.2% in just 120 days of storage.3 That’s a lot of grain (and profit) that can be lost to insect infestations in storage.

Together, these figures exemplify why stored grain management needs to evolve beyond reactionary insecticide applications. The most impactful, convenient and cost-effective way to address the threat of insects is a proactive one.

The Grain Protection Protocol: A proactive approach to defending stored grain from insect damage

The Grain Protection Protocol is designed to help protect stored grain from profit-robbing insect infestations throughout the entire storage season. Rather than waiting for a problem to appear, the protocol takes a structured, season-long approach that helps reduce risk, preserve quality and support stronger returns. The goal is not simply to control insects in stored grain after they appear, but to prevent them from getting established in the first place.

A strong Grain Protection Protocol includes the following stages: 

Reduce Risk + Start Clean

A strong Grain Protection Protocol begins before grain ever enters the bin and involves emptying bin structures, since surfaces and surrounding areas can harbor insects from previous storage seasons. Pretreating those areas with a grain protectant like Gravista® Insecticide helps prevent infestations before, during and after grain fill. Starting with a clean, treated storage environment helps reduce risk and gives grain a stronger foundation for protection. 

Protect at Load-In + Lock in Value

Incoming grain can carry insects into storage, creating problems that may not be visible right away. Treating grain as it enters the bin with an insecticide like Diacon® IGR or Gravista® Insecticide helps remove insects at storage time and prevent infestations down the line.

Store with Confidence + Preserve Quality 

Once grain is in the bin, a proactive Grain Protection Protocol does not stop. Consistent monitoring is critical to preserving grain quality, consistency and volume over time. Facility perimeters, equipment and other high-risk areas should also be managed throughout the storage period to help prevent insect pressure from building. Stored grain solutions like Gravista® Insecticide and Inselux® Fog & Mill Spray can support continued protection during storage.

Maximize Return + Cash In

When it is time to sell or move grain, the priority is to maximize return and cash in on the value that has been protected. Testing and inspections help ensure grain is clean, market-ready and less likely to face dockage, rejection or buyer concerns. If an infestation is present in grain, a reactionary treatment like Centynal™ Synergized Insecticide can help reduce dockage or discounts at delivery.

Overall, a strong Grain Protection Protocol is an ongoing process that reinforces seasonal best practices and helps maintain grain quality from the moment grain enters storage to the moment it leaves. Proactive protection against insect infestations can help reduce losses, preserve market value, support operational efficiency and protect profitability.

To learn more about the Grain Protection Protocol and Stored Grain Solutions from Central Life Sciences, visit GrainProtection.com.

1 Central Life Sciences Trial Data, 2023 study on maximizing profits and reducing insect shrink through insect control. 

2 USDA Agricultural Research Service, 2007 study on stored grain losses: https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=196465

3 Espino, L., 2017. Effect of lesser grain borer and red flour beetle infestation on weight and quality of rough rice. University of California Cooperative Extension.