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Grain storage expert shares research on canola storage and aeration strategies
July 17, 2025
By Kaitlin Berger
Every few years, the snow comes early, and growers are left to harvest their canola, corn or soybeans in the snow or after the snow melts. In fact, it’s not unusual to see a drop in temperature from 10 C to –10 C in one week in the fall on the Prairies. This leaves two options for growers: heated-air drying or leaving the crop in the field.
This is what Fuji Jian, associate professor at the University of Manitoba, presented in the opening session of Top Crop Manager’s virtual In the Bin: Grain Storage Seminar in early July. With a strong research background in post-harvest grain quality, grain physical properties, grain drying and aeration, grain handling, sensor development and more, Jian shared the results from four studies to provide clarity on canola storage and aeration strategies.
1. The effect of different sub-zero temperatures on stored canola.
The first study explored the effect of different sub-zero temperatures and relative humidities on moisture content and germination of stored canola to answer these questions:
- Can canola at high moisture content be stored at less than 0 C without quality change?
- Can crop seeds be dried at less than 0 C?
- What is the allowable maximum variation of temperatures and moisture contents of various grains?
2. Freezing temperature of canola seeds with different moisture content.
The second study Jian shared during the seminar explored freezing temperature of canola seeds with different moisture content. Jian provided clarity on the following questions:
- At what temperature and moisture contents is canola freezable?
- At what temperature is canola germination reduced and why?
3. How long canola can be dried at less than 0 C.
The third study explored how long canola can be dried at less than 0 C. Jian discussed what germination remained at 0 C drying and whether there was ice formation or not.
4. Aeration strategies around temperature and moisture content.
The final study explored allowable maximum variations of temperatures and moisture contents of stored grain.
Grain storage tips are available
Fuji Jian was one of four other presenters who discussed topics related to grain storage during the virtual In the Bin: Grain Storage Seminar. For further details on Jian’s four studies, click here to access the on-demand seminar.