I have approximately 300# of grain that I bought 13 months ago. It consists of 200# of wheat, 50# yellow dent corn, and 50# of soy beans. I treated it with diatomaceous earth, and have kept it stored at 70 degrees or less. I don't know how to tell if it is still good or has outlived its safe usefulness. Some of it has been packed in 5 gallon buckets (new/ food grade), and some is still in its original bags. I really don't have a use for it and would gladly share it with someone who could/would use it. I have already given all of my oats to a friend with horses and most of the corn and soybean to a buddy at work who raises pigs.

If this grain is still useable, I would like to know how to tell. Also, btw, if there happens to be anyone in the Oswego, NY area that could/ would use this grain for personal use...hehe...not for sale please, they would be welcome to it. Thanx for any info on this subject.

Pat

-- Pat (FLGUDMUSIC@aol.com), January 25, 2001

Answers

Why would it not be good? It might be stale, but if it looks OK and smells OK, I say use it.

-- Mona in OK (jascamp@ipa.net), January 25, 2001.

You could always try sprouting a little of it. If it sprouts, then you know its really, really good. If not, it's more than likely quite usable anyway.

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), January 26, 2001.

Gee Pat, Why don't you try eating it?I assume it's what you bought it for in the first place!As far as edibility after 1year plus.Unless it has mold growing on it it is usable.Wheat and barley have been pulled out of pyramids after 4000 years and it still sprouts.grind it make bread learn a new skill.I'm not saying any of this to be nasty.It just amazes me the number of people that stock piled food and equipment for y2k and in the process dried up supplies and drove up prices and want to throw it all away now.Why not keep it against the time when you may need it?A winter storm in NY state has been known to knock out power and transport for weeks.

-- (gsmith@tricountyi.net), January 28, 2001.

What about feeding the wild birds and squirrels? The deer too. Especially in winter. My blue jays make a huge racket when the grain needs refilling! And I love watching them, they are beautiful.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), January 28, 2001.

We discovered that we had some wheat berries that we bought in 1995, stored in bags in metal garbage cans in the basement root cellar. Tastes and bakes fine, sprouts very well, so I figure it is still good. I would use the sprouting test- if it is alive enough to sprout I wouldn't hesitate to eat it.

Jim

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), January 30, 2001.

It sounds like you stored it properly. If so, this wheat should last indefinitely for you. I'm using wheat that I purchased about 18 months ago and stored properly. It's just fine. The wheat that is still in the bags might create problems eventually with either rodents or insects so I would use it up first and keep a close eye on it.

-- Bev Hansen (rdklandbev@aol.com), February 01, 2001.

Pat I doubt that a year is here nor there as far as usability of the wheat is concerned, especially as you have kept it dry, cool and in the dark(?). They used to export huge quantities of wheat from Australia to Europe, the voyage alone might have taken months including weeks in the tropics.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), February 01, 2001.

It's not grain, but many people don't know that honey will also keep forever. It is another food that has been found, still edible, in the pyramids in Egypt. It will crystalize, but only needs to be gently warmed to re-liquify it -- I was horrified to learn that some of my friends thought crystalized honey had spoiled, and were throwing it away!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), February 01, 2001.

As long as grain does not get wet or infested with insect or rodents it will keep. We raise grain and cereal grains and buy the time it hit the millers and is in the markets as the products you consume it is older than the grain you speak of and has been in alot worse conditions. I would not worry about the quality as long as it doesnt smell or look bad.

-- Steve (nevets_67@hotmail.com), February 02, 2001.