Growers are being urged to keep an eye on temperatures and moisture levels in grain stores to avoid costly quality damage, as conditions continue to be unseasonably mild.

AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds has issued a warning to growers amid fears that weather since harvest may have compromised grain quality, after some grain was cut when damp and storage temperatures remain relatively high.

It says that high temperatures and excess moisture will be “increasing the risk of infestation and ochratoxin”, which is a dangerous mycotoxin that can cause health problems in humans and animals.

See also: How to build a new grain store on a budget

Ochratoxin does not cause visible damage to grain and cannot be detected through visual inspection or grading.

Storage temperatures consistently above 15C will also risk mite and insect populations increasing.

It adds that “weekly monitoring of moisture content and temperature throughout the life of the store is recommended” to help avoid costs of £20/t to £30/t for grain consignments failing to hit contracted specification.

See the AHDB website’s advice on grain storage for more tools and resources.