Why is my stored grain getting warm and damp in the middle of the heap?

A warm, damp centre with an off smell is a warning sign of heating in storage, and you should act before it gets worse. Grain that goes into store too moist, or that picks up moisture from a damp floor or leak, keeps respiring and so do moulds and insects, and all that activity releases heat and moisture in the middle of the heap where air cannot escape. Left alone, this leads to caking, mould, musty or sour smell, loss of germination, and even spoilage and toxin risk. To deal with it, open up the heap and aerate or turn the grain to release heat and moisture, and check the bottom and centre. If the grain is too moist, re-dry it in the sun to safe moisture, then cool it before storing again. Find and fix the moisture source, whether it is a damp floor, leaking roof, or grain that was sealed while still warm. Store on raised pallets away from damp walls, and only seal grain that is dry and cool. Heating that has just started can often be saved by drying and aerating; heavily caked, mouldy or sour grain should be kept separate and checked rather than mixed with good stock. Verify safe moisture for your grain with your KVK.