Over two different time frames with different grades of canola, Humboldt based PAMI conducted studies to provide producers with the best case scenario for bin storage.

"We started the study back in 2014 after a bumper crop and transportation issues and a massive amount of canola was still being stored on farms," explained researcher Dr. Joy Agnew.

"A bunch of phone calls from producers saying how do I manage this for spring and summer storage, do I manage differently than over the winter?" were also questions Agnew received.

So they completed a study then and another in 2016 with the solution being clear in both instances.

"We looked at leaving it alone, turning the bin, so pulling some of the grain out and putting it on top which essentially stirs it up a bit and aerating it to even out the temperature profile just to see which one worked best," Agnew continued.

"In both years with all conditions of canola that we looked at, leaving it alone was the best. It resulted in the most stable conditions through out the summer months," she concluded.

The results were promising considering that does equal the easiest option for farmers. Agnew admitted she didn't expect those results.

"No, it's not but based on the anecdotal evidence or the discussions with producers that I've had since 2014 and a lot of them are doing that but they are relieved to find out that it is the best option. That's what they're doing because honestly it's the simplest, they cool it down in the winter and they let it sit but we've validated that it is the best approach."

She did say if your canola is at a 10 percent or higher moisture level you could run into spoilage issues but producers usually take steps in drying or heating before it goes to the bin if their canola is "tough."

This most recent project was funded by Government of Saskatchewan under the Ministry of Agriculture's Agriculture Development Fund under the federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 program, Canola Council of Canada, Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, Alberta Canola Producers Commission, and Manitoba Canola Growers.