One of the oldest industries in human history dates back to the basic ability to farm and care for crops. Farming is a multifaceted industry in that every farmer will have to do a job in some respect. Sometimes, this involves raising and tending to livestock every day to be healthy by design. At other times, your farming may have to do with growing crops.
Grains are some of the most commonly grown crops on farms and can be the basis of an entire industry. However, the idea of grain farming is much more meticulous and interesting than one would believe. Grain farming is a massive process. Depending on what is being grown, a farmer can have an unlimited source of work. Grain development can range on several factors, but all eventually result in some great crops.
For instance, daily, whole oats and barley are some of the most sought grains by society. Grain farmers will take the time to ensure that all conditions are optimal for their growth. Eventually, there will come a time to pull the crops from their area before storing them in their respective area.
Let’s learn more about what is grain farming and how it works:
Common grains
Even though some grains may make up the bulk of a farmer’s work, others may also be tended to. Alongside the common suspects, such as wheat, grains like millet and buckwheat can also be developed. Moreover, quinoa and teff could also be grown as they rise in popularity.
Also remaining highly popular as sought grains are, of course, corn and rice. Many individuals may not think of maize as a grain, but it is just as commonplace to grow as rice or rye. At some point, a grain farmer may be tasked to grow multiple grains in nearby areas. It may take some work, but the result is all the same!
Grain growth conditions
No matter what is being developed, a crop always requires the right conditions for development. Optimal growth can only occur once the correct factors are put into a solid place. When it comes to grains, this sentiment becomes all the more important. Grain farmers will first look at their farms and seek an amicable area for development.
This particular area will have lots of natural sunlight and fertile soil. It must be tested out regarding the soil before planting your seeds in it. Grain farmers will till the soil and give it a touch test, which will indicate its viability. In some cases, professional tests may also be conducted if needed.
How to protect grains
Grain growth will only occur once enough time has elapsed. During this time, many things go wrong, which can stunt their natural growth. There may not be enough sunlight, which can hamper its natural development. In other cases, pests could attack the grains once they are exposed.
It is incumbent on the grain farmer to take all the necessary moves to shield their crops from harm. Some grain farmers could apply some straw to the growth area, which will ensure pests do not harm the crops. Or, grains could be grown indoors, which can stop as many external factors as possible from causing damage.
How to thresh grains
A farmer’s grains will have developed to a point where they are ready for threshing. The threshing process is rudimentary, but it is an important step nonetheless. In a nutshell, it involves loosening the actual grain from its casing.
Threshing can occur either by hand or by farming equipment. Once the trash is removed, grains are usually put away to be used for various methods afterwards. Farmers will make all the moves needed in this light, including threshing large amounts of grain.
Grain storage
The final part of the grain farming process is not as simple as one would believe. After that time has transpired, storing the crops is extremely important. However, it does not have to be overly complicated either. Grain storage bins house large amounts of grain in one convenient area.
It is also vital for the farmer to take extra precautions when using multiple grain bins. These bins must always be cleaned and sanitized before using them again for storage. If it is inadvertently ignored, pests could invade the bins and damage all the hard work done. In addition, farmers should implement a grain bin temperature monitoring system to ensure the climate conditions are suitable for their harvests. You need to keep an eye on the temperature, moisture, and aeration levels.
As long as the right steps are taken, grain farming can be a successful endeavour for all involved!