US farmers and elevator operators have expanded grain drying and storage capacity in recent years to keep pace with increased production. On-farm and commercial storage has grown to 13.2 and 11.1 billion bushels, respectively (205 and 80 million bushels in KY). To help growers effectively manage these systems, agricultural engineers in the U.S., including two from the University of Kentucky, have produced a new edition of the Midwest Plan Service “Grain Drying, Handling and Storage Handbook” (MWPS-13).

The publication focuses on planning a new grain facility or expanding an existing once. The handbook can help farmers and engineers design an efficient system that meets their current and future needs. New chapters on safety and automation have been added along with updates on handling, drying and storage systems, so the handbook is greatly expanded.

Drs. Sam McNeill and Mark Purschwitz, both extension professors in the UK Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Depart, wrote the chapters on storage and safety, respectively. Other extension agricultural engineers who contributed to the handbook update represented Iowa State, North Dakota State, Purdue and Oklahoma State universities.

Safety has become even more crucial in system design and operation because too many people are trapped in grain, get tangled in auger flighting, or develop respiratory problems from exposure to grain dust and mold particles.

Published by Midwest Plan Service, the handbook has been widely used as a textbook and technical reference for industry users. It provides information on several topics including site selection, facility planning, safety, grain handling, drying, storage and automation and control. Using provided tables and downloadable spreadsheets users can quickly calculate the storage capacity of commonly used structures. The handbook also features numerous color figures, illustrations and photos of different designs and configurations. For more information on the publication, visit https://www-mwps.sws.iastate.edu/.

Initially, 500 copies were printed in the summer of 2017 and within 12 months a second order was needed to keep pace with demand. Additionally, the publication received a Blue Ribbon Award for extension publications by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).