Our IoT products are a plug-and-play solution for your grain bin. All devices read in-bin grain cables for grain temperature and moisture monitoring.
Different devices are used for In-Bin Drying & Hydrating and are able to automate the fan and heater with our modular control boxes.
Managing your grain is essential to running a profitable operation. Whether you are tracking, storing, monitoring or conditioning we have build a platform for all your grain management needs!
Adaptive Agriculture has been providing the Bindapt+ In-Bin Drying system since the foundation of the organization. Through customer feedback and R&D we have continued to develop valuable tools to assist farmers with their In-Bin Drying applications.
Manage your farm with your TEAM in a simple intuitively designed application from your Mobile or Desktop.
Manage all grain bin inventories (Grain, Fertilizer, Other). Monitor all available cables and set alerts to text or email
Fly between fields and track crop plans, field activities, and get virtual weather!
Track notes on all Bins, Fields, and Tasks to keep everyone updates with the latest accurate information
Geolocation allows you to pin-point areas of interest/concern in the field and place scouting markers for the future
Collaborate with you farm team, add additional users to you farm and keep everyone on the same page.
Additional features and integrations are constantly being worked on and evaluated. Each year there are always significant improvements to the platform.
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Grain often reaches the bin damp after a cool or wet harvest. Natural air drying uses fans to move outdoor air through stored grain, removing moisture without added heat. It’s a lower-cost option than heated drying, but it can take several weeks.
Sufficient airflow is key to successful natural air drying, as a fan that cools grain effectively may not provide enough airflow to dry it. This article explains what determines how much airflow you need, recommended airflow rates for different crops, how to check what your fan can deliver, and when natural air drying may not be enough.
Four factors largely determine how much airflow your grain needs.
The chart below provides approximate airflow targets for common Prairie crops, alongside moisture classifications from the Canadian Grain Commission. Use these figures as guidelines, since wetter grain and cooler conditions may require more airflow.
Crop | Dry (straight grade) | Tough | Airflow target (CFM/bu) |
Canola | 10.0% or less | 10.1% to 12.5% | At least 1.0 |
Flax | 10.0% or less | 10.1% to 13.5% | 1.0 to 2.0 |
Wheat (CWRS) | 14.5% or less | 14.6% to 17.0% | 0.75 to 1.0 |
Barley (general purpose) | 14.8% or less | 14.9% to 17.0% | 0.75 to 1.0 |
Oats | 13.5% or less | 13.6% to 17.0% | 0.75 to 1.0 |
Natural air drying works best for grain in the tough moisture range. Grain above that range is classified as damp and usually needs heated drying, since natural air drying can take too long to remove the excess moisture before cold weather arrives.
A fan’s rated CFM doesn’t necessarily reflect the airflow it delivers in a full grain bin. As air moves through the grain, it encounters resistance known as static pressure. As static pressure increases, airflow decreases.
Grain depth and the presence of fines increase static pressure. Fan type also plays a role. A centrifugal fan generally maintains airflow better under high static pressure than an axial fan, which can experience a rapid drop in airflow as grain depth increases.
To determine whether your fan can meet your crop’s drying requirements, you need to know how much airflow it actually delivers at your bin’s operating static pressure.
To estimate your bin’s airflow, compare the volume of air your fan delivers with the amount of grain it needs to dry. This takes four steps:
For example, a bin holding 12,000 bushels with a fan delivering 9,600 CFM at the measured static pressure has an airflow rate of:
That meets the chart’s lower target for wheat, barley, and oats, but falls below the recommended airflow for canola and flax.
If airflow is too low, you can reduce the amount of grain in the bin, add a second fan, or core the bin to remove fines. Also, check that the roof vents provide adequate exhaust capacity.
Natural air drying may struggle when grain is too wet, airflow is insufficient, or cool, humid weather limits moisture removal. Warning signs include a drying front that moves too slowly, damp grain near the top of the bin, or rising grain temperatures.
Regular monitoring helps identify problems early. Moisture cables track drying progress, temperature cables can reveal developing hot spots, and headspace CO2 monitoring can provide earlier indications of biological activity. The Bindapt+ 2.0 Monitor reads grain temperature and moisture cables and supports a headspace CO2 sensor.
When cool, humid weather limits drying, supplemental heat can help. A compatible heater connected to your aeration fan warms the incoming air and lowers its relative humidity, improving its drying potential.
Effective natural air drying starts with matching airflow to your crop, grain moisture, and bin conditions. Check actual CFM per bushel rather than relying on a fan’s rated output, and monitor grain conditions to make sure drying stays on track.
To set up monitoring or automation before harvest, contact our team for a quote for your bin yard.
Aeration uses low airflow to cool stored grain and help control hot spots. Natural air drying uses higher airflow to remove moisture.
Not always. Continuous airflow can help during suitable drying conditions, but prolonged operation in cold, humid weather may slow drying or cause grain to regain moisture.
Yes. Coring removes concentrated fines that restrict airflow, while levelling the grain helps air move more evenly through the bin.
Check moisture samples from different depths, especially near the top, where the drying front typically arrives last. Drying is complete when the grain reaches its target storage moisture throughout the bin.
Keep grain depth moderate, as deeper grain increases static pressure and reduces airflow. Check your fan’s performance chart to make sure it delivers enough CFM per bushel for drying.
