The manager of Notukew Processing in Vanguard, Sask., recommends pulse
producers aerate their crop before binning to reduce grasshopper bits.
“Either that or scalp the crop – pass the seeds through a screen –
before binning,” Trevor Hyde said.
“If they don’t, they’re just asking for trouble.”
The Canadian Grain Commission has set a 0.02 percent tolerance for
grasshopper parts in all pulses.
Even if the crop is immediately delivered, the processor will have to
take more time cleaning to avoid downgrading.
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Hyde said producers can do nothing about grasshopper staining. Not only
do the grasshopper-gut stains cause downgrading, but dust sticks to it
to increase earth tag.
Ray McVicar, a special crops specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture,
said producers should check their stored crops immediately to prevent
spoilage losses.
Immature seed and grasshoppers, which have a high moisture content,
increase the risk of spoilage.
Aeration is the key to avoiding mould and other storage problems. Test
with a moisture meter several times after the crop is binned.
Because of their large seed, chickpeas and peas need time for moisture
to equalize throughout the seed. If harvested warm, there is a strong
chance the seeds will “sweat” in the bin.
“For prolonged safe storage, pulse crops should be cooled to less than
15 C and dried to less than 14 percent moisture. Seed that is cooled to
10 C will store well for long periods,” McVicar said.
A bin equipped with an aeration fan can provide cooling and drying.
While cooling may be completed in a day, drying can take three to four
weeks.
McVicar said the cleanliness of a crop is another factor, because
foreign material can greatly reduce airflow and channel air movement
around wet spots.
