Smarter bins equal greater profits and safety

A smart grain bin is equipped to take the guesswork out of managing and conditioning grain. It has a monitoring system installed so farmers can monitor their grain conditions 24/7. There are a variety of monitoring systems on the market, ranging in capabilities, and typically all require cables to be placed throughout the bin.

Why invest in a smart bin?

Countless hours are dedicated to growing crops with the highest possible yields but storing grain in the bin and “hoping for the best” is not a great risk management strategy. As Erin Squires, AGI Digital representative, says, “We think about it this way. If the bin is your bank account, why would you store it where you cannot monitor your own investment? A smart bin with digital sensors can be the wisest purchase you can make in turning a bin into a grain conditioning profit center.”

Particularly in today’s soft market, where farmers may want to hold out for higher commodity prices, Squires explains, “The sensors can automate the fans so farmers can optimize existing conditions and retain the grain quality they are looking for.”

How do cable sensors work?

AGI’s grain bin monitoring system, AGI BinManager^® has cables that are an automated system that focuses on achieving grain temperature and moisture targets by taking advantage of the internal and external bin and weather conditions. The sensors can automate the fans so farmers can optimize existing conditions to prevent hot spots, spoilage and crusting.

How can a smart bin improve on-farm safety?

A grain bin monitoring system is a farmer’s eyes inside of their bins. As Squires says, “Far too many times you hear about farmers dropping a piece of plywood into the bin to create a temporary floor over the grain in order to assess moisture pockets or remove crusting. A grain bin monitoring system keeps farmers safely on the ground and out of the bin. The whole point of the system is to prevent grain conditions that cause quality issues and keep farmers completely out of the bin. This protects grain and prevents any accidents from happening. That is a huge safety factor.”

When is the best time to make a bin smarter?

Bins must be empty to install cables. Winter is a good time to plan and schedule installations, especially if expansions will happen in the spring so cables can be installed right after bins are built. Bins can also be retrofitted with cables, when past crops have been sold and the current year’s crops are still in the ground.

Farmers can learn more about AGI BinManager, sign up for a free bin assessment or find an AGI dealer near them by visiting BinManager®