When Is the Best Time to Run Fans to Aerate Grain?

Aerating grain at the right time can make all the difference when it comes to preserving quality during storage. But when exactly is the best time to run fans to aerate grain? With advanced grain bin monitoring systems, farmers and operators can now rely on data to determine ideal fan operation windows that help protect stored grain and reduce spoilage.

Why Does Aeration Timing Matter?

Grain continues to breathe after harvest, generating heat and moisture. If not managed carefully, this can lead to:

• Mold growth

• Insect activity

• Moisture migration

• Spoilage

Running fans too often, or at the wrong times (e.g., during high humidity), can worsen conditions inside the bin. That’s why timing is everything.

How Can Monitoring Systems Help?

Modern grain monitoring systems use a combination of smart sensors and automation to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality grain storage. Here’s how they help:

• Temperature Monitoring

  • Detects hotspots early to prevent spoilage

  • Helps maintain lower temperatures, allowing grain to be stored safely at slightly higher moisture levels

  • Reduces the risk of insects, fungi, and mycotoxin development

• Moisture Monitoring

  • Controls grain moisture content to prevent shrinkage and spoilage

  • Ensures uniform conditions throughout the bin using multiple sensor points

• Aeration Control

  • Automatically starts/stops fans based on grain conditions and ambient weather data

  • Optimizes temperature and moisture without over-drying

  • Protects grain quality while saving energy

• CO₂ Monitoring

  • Detects early signs of spoilage from insect and mold activity

  • Measures gas accumulation in the headspace for fast intervention

• Head Space Monitoring

  • Prevents condensation and surface wetting

  • Uses temperature and humidity data to control roof ventilation

• Ambient Monitoring

  • Monitors outside weather conditions to ensure only ideal air is used for aeration

• Level Monitoring

  • Tracks grain levels to improve inventory management and storage planning

How Does Automated Aeration Control Improve Grain Storage?

AgroLog’s aeration control system provides a smarter, data-driven approach to grain monitoring and fan operation. Instead of manually deciding when to run fans, modern systems monitor:

• Internal grain temperature at multiple levels

• External air temperature and humidity

• Dew point and equilibrium moisture content

These variables are used to automatically identify the best conditions to run fans, ensuring effective aeration while preserving grain quality and reducing energy use.

With Agrolog’s aeration control system, all data can be monitored in real time using the AgroLog Manager software. This intuitive platform allows you to access grain temperature, moisture, and fan activity directly from your personal device.