How do I check grain is dry enough before putting it in storage?

Grain stored too wet rots, grows mould and attracts insects, so drying to safe moisture is the most important storage step. Safe storage moisture for most cereals is roughly in the low teens by percentage, often around 12 to 14 percent, but the exact safe level varies by grain, so confirm it for your crop. The reliable way to check is a grain moisture meter, which many cooperatives, warehouses, procurement centres and KVKs have, so you can get it tested even if you do not own one. Without a meter, farmers use rough field checks like biting a grain to feel if it is hard and crackles rather than soft, or pressing your thumbnail into it, but these only tell you roughly and are not safe for long storage decisions. If in doubt, dry it more; over-dry is safer than damp for storage. Dry on a clean surface in good sun, turn the grain, and bring it in before dew. Verify the safe moisture figure for your specific grain and get it tested at your nearest warehouse, procurement centre or KVK before long storage.