How can you tell if grain is good?

Question

What are some of the characteristcs of good, quality grain?

Answer 1

You can definitely smell rotten grain. It may smell musty or just plain bad, but you will know.  Also a lot of dust can be a sign of mold.  Many local feed stores mix their own sweet feed if this is what you are looking for or you may be able to find a local farmer that you can buy something like oats from.  Just be careful of who you get your feed from, especially if it is an individual ( I don't want to make anyone mad- my husband farms and I am definitley not badmouthing farmers), but lots of people will take advantage of you if they realize that you don't know exactly what your'e looking for- true with hay also.

Answer 2

well, it should smell fresh, should be a nice yellow colour and shouldnt smell slightly mouldy.

There is a grub that gets into grain and flour making it mouldy and poisonous so dont use it if it is over about a month old, even if you havnt opened it.

Answer 3

as long as its clean and has no dust in it, it should be clean.

Answer 4

You need to learn what good grain looks and smells like.  Go to your dealer and have him demonstrate.  Then, don't accept delivery if those standards aren't met.  Animals, as a general rule, have a greater tolerance for what we consider "off" grain that you might think but that doesn't mean you should accept feed that is spoiled.

Answer 5

If it looks rich in color. Old grain looks old. Everything looks washed out. It also needs to be slightly sticky. Good grain will have molasses in it along with other things like some pellets, corn, etc. and the molasses will give it a slight wet look and sticky feel. Just ask for sweet feed. It also won't have any bugs, dust or rat droppings in it. Good luck.

Answer 6

The grain should not be dusty, with a lot of stems and if you see any sign of mold DO NOT USE IT. If you use a big name feed you should be ok, but I would talk to your feed dealer and let him show you what to look for. If he is a good dealer he will be more than glad to teach you what to look for.

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Answer 7

Once you know what your grain is supposed to look like, you will be able to judge quality on future bags by comparison.  For example, the color will be off, the texture may be different, or the smell may not be the same.  These are all indications that the bag is probably no good or too old.  You can use grain that is over a month old easily, as long as its characteristics have not changed.

However, the best way to judge grain that you have not used before and so don't know the typical look of is to smell it: as already mentioned it should smell nice and fresh.