High-tech grain bins hold big value

摘要

CLEMSON University's Kendall Kirk can activate a fan on his grain bin in Blackville, S.C., from the other side of the world, if needed, and that could prevent thousands of dollars in lost crop value.In addition, the automated grain bin can sense an overnight dip in humidity while Kirk sleeps and shut off the fan to avoid over-drying the grain. The fan turns on automatically again if temperatures and moisture levels call for it. Kirk, meanwhile, canrest assured knowing that the value of his grain is protected."This bin is like a bank. If you put $250,000 in your bank, you don't want to come back in nine months and find $150,000," Kirk told a group of farmers gathered at a field day at Clemson's Edisto Research & Education Center this month.