Calculators
Grain Drying and Storage Cost Calculator
Estimate water shrink, dry bushels, drying fuel and electricity cost, storage and interest cost, and the price rise needed to justify storing grain.
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The tool
Enter your numbers below. Results update as you type, and nothing leaves your browser.
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What people use it for
- Harvest planning
- Deciding whether to store or sell
- Comparing on-farm and elevator drying
- Bin investment analysis
About this tool
What the Grain Drying and Storage Cost Calculator does
Drying grain removes water, so bushels shrink. Water shrink is (initial − final moisture) ÷ (100 − final moisture), plus a small handling loss. Drying fuel is usually estimated per bushel per point of moisture removed. Storing grain also costs bin or commercial fees and the interest on the grain’s value.
It also works as a grain storage drying cost calculator.
Formula
- Water shrink = (initial − final moisture) ÷ (100 − final moisture)
- Drying fuel = bushels × points removed × gallons per point × price
- Carry cost = storage + interest on grain value
Worked example
Using the starting values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Wet bushels | 50,000 |
| Harvest moisture | 22% |
| Target moisture | 15.5% |
| Handling loss | 0.5% |
| Propane per bushel per point | 0.02 gal |
| Propane price per gallon | $1.60 |
| Electricity per bushel | $0.02 |
| Storage cost per bushel per month | $0.03 |
| Months stored | 6 |
| Grain price at harvest | $4.10 |
| Interest rate | 7% |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Dry bushels | 45,904 |
| Total drying and storage cost per dry bushel | $0.57 |
| Total shrink | 8.2% |
| Drying cost | $11,400 |
| Storage cost | $8,263 |
| Interest on stored grain | $6,587 |
| Price rise needed to justify storing | $0.32 |
How to read the result
Compare the carry cost with the futures spread and expected basis improvement before deciding to store.
Over-drying wastes fuel and shrinks bushels; dry to the moisture needed for the storage period.
Estimates for planning. Use soil tests, local extension guidance and your agronomist’s recommendations for field decisions.
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Questions
Questions about this tool
The things clients actually want to know — costs, timelines, ownership and what happens after launch.
Water shrink is (initial − final moisture) ÷ (100 − final moisture), plus a handling loss.
A common rule of thumb is around 0.02 gallons per bushel per point removed, varying by dryer and weather.
When the expected price gain exceeds storage, interest and quality-risk costs.
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