Episode Summary

In this episode of the FarmSafe Podcast, we continue our grain safety series by examining how poor grain quality and improper storage conditions can create dangerous situations inside grain bins. The episode features Anita Howard, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 18-year-old son, Colton, in a grain bin incident that she believes was entirely preventable. To help prevent these tragedies, Iowa State Extension field agricultural engineer Kristina TeBockhorst explains how strong grain management practices directly improve safety. She introduces the “three Cs” of stored grain management: Cooling it, Coring or Cleaning it, and Checking it regularly. Rich Gassman, safety and compliance director at Engineering Services and Products Company, adds that keeping grain in good condition reduces the need to enter bins in the first place—one of the most effective ways to prevent injury.

Episode Resources

Caught in Grain: Safety Precautions, North Dakota State University Extension

Grain Safety Shorts: Aeration – why, when, and how?, by Kristina TeBockhorst

Grain Safety Shorts: Bin Prep, by Kristina TeBockhorst