“Approximate” Allowable Storage Time for Soybeans based on Moisture Content and Grain Temperature
Moisture Content |
30ºF |
40ºF |
50ºF |
60ºF |
70ºF |
80ºF |
11% |
* |
* |
* |
* |
200 days |
140 days |
12% |
* |
* |
* |
240 days |
125 days |
70 days |
13% |
* |
* |
230 days |
120 days |
70 days |
40 days |
14% |
* |
280 days |
130 days |
75 days |
45 days |
20 days |
15% |
* |
200 days |
90 days |
50 days |
30 days |
15 days |
16% |
* |
140 days |
70 days |
35 days |
20 days |
10 days |
17% |
* |
90 days |
50 days |
25 days |
14 days |
7 days |
19% |
190 days |
60 days |
30 days |
15 days |
8 days |
3 days |
21% |
130 days |
40 days |
15 days |
10 days |
6 days |
2 days |
23% |
90 days |
35 days |
12 days |
8 days |
5 days |
2 days |
25% |
70 days |
30 days |
10 days |
7 days |
4 days |
2 days |
27% |
60 days |
25 days |
5 days |
5 days |
3 days |
1 day |
* Allowable storage time exceeds 300 days
Allowable storage time is the storage period before quality loss is expected to affect grain quality.
Airflow through the grain permits maintaining the grain temperature, but does not extend the allowable storage time beyond that listed in the table.
Allowable storage time is cumulative. If 16% moisture soybeans were stored for 35 days at 50°F, one-half of the storage life has been used. If the soybeans are cooled to 40 degrees, the allowable storage time at 40 degrees is only 70 days.