Seed and Feed Storage for Small Farms in Southeast South Dakota

Running a small farm or acreage in Bon Homme, Hutchinson, or Yankton County? Seed and feed are two of your biggest recurring expenses — and how you store them directly affects whether that money is well spent or wasted. Here’s the practical guide to keeping your seed viable and your feed fresh in South Dakota’s challenging climate.

Why Storage Matters More Than You Think

Bad storage doesn’t just reduce quality — it destroys it. A bag of seed corn stored in a damp shed can lose 20-30% of its germination rate in a single season. Feed that gets wet grows mold that can sicken or kill livestock. And rodents? They’ll eat through a 50-pound bag of feed overnight if you give them the chance.

In southeast South Dakota, you’re dealing with temperature swings from -20°F to 100°F, spring humidity from snowmelt, summer thunderstorms, and mice that treat every outbuilding like a buffet. Proper storage isn’t optional — it’s the difference between a productive season and an expensive lesson.

Seed Storage Basics

The Three Enemies of Seed Viability

1. Moisture — The biggest threat. Seeds are hygroscopic; they absorb moisture from the air. Once seed moisture content rises above 12-13%, germination rates plummet and mold sets in.

2. Heat — For every 10°F increase in storage temperature, seed life is roughly cut in half. A bag of seed stored at 90°F in a metal shed loses viability far faster than the same seed at 50°F.

3. Pests — Rodents eat seed. Insects (weevils, moths) lay eggs in it. Both contaminate what they don’t consume.

Ideal Seed Storage Conditions

The rule of thumb: the sum of temperature (°F) and relative humidity (%) should be below 100. So 50°F and 40% humidity = 90. That’s good. 80°F and 60% humidity = 140. That’s seed death.

For most southeast South Dakota small farms, achieving these conditions means:

• A climate-controlled space — even a corner of your basement can work if it stays dry
• Airtight containers — 5-gallon buckets with gamma seal lids, metal drums, or sealed plastic bins
• Desiccant packs inside containers for extra moisture protection
• Off the ground — concrete floors wick moisture, especially in spring

Storing Specific Seed Types

Corn and soybean seed: Most common in this area. Store in original bags inside a climate-controlled space. If you bought seed in fall for spring planting (to lock in pricing), it needs 6+ months of proper storage. Consider a climate-controlled storage unit if your farm buildings can’t maintain the right conditions.

Garden seed: Small-scale vegetable and flower seeds for market gardens or personal use. Store in airtight jars or bags inside a cool, dark space. A refrigerator works for small quantities.

Cover crop seed: Cereal rye, radishes, and other cover crop seeds are generally hardier but still need dry conditions. Metal bins or drums in a dry outbuilding work well.

Native grass and wildflower seed: If you’re doing CRP or restoration work, these seeds can be expensive. Store like garden seed — cool, dry, dark, and sealed.

Feed Storage for Livestock

Hay Storage

Hay is the backbone of southeast South Dakota livestock operations, and bad storage ruins more hay than bad weather.

Indoor storage is always better. Hay stored inside a barn or shed retains 95%+ of its nutritional value. Hay stored outside, even with tarps, can lose 25-35% to weathering on the outer layers.

If indoor space is limited: - Elevate bales on pallets, gravel, or old tires — ground contact causes bottom rot - Use quality tarps — not cheap poly. UV-resistant, breathable tarps last longer and prevent condensation - Orient rows north-south to maximize sun exposure and air flow - Leave space between rows for air circulation

Grain and Concentrate Feed

Bagged grain, pellets, supplements, and minerals need:

• Dry storage — absolutely non-negotiable. Wet grain molds within days, and mycotoxins from moldy feed can kill livestock
• Rodent-proof containers — metal bins, galvanized trash cans with tight lids, or commercial feed bins. Mice will chew through plastic eventually.
• FIFO rotation (First In, First Out) — use oldest stock first. Label bags with purchase dates.
• Temperature stability — feed stored in a metal shed that hits 120°F in summer degrades faster. Insulated buildings or storage units maintain more consistent temperatures.

Salt and Mineral Blocks

These are less sensitive but still need to stay dry. Wet salt blocks dissolve into an expensive puddle. Store on shelves or pallets in a covered area.

The Rodent Problem

Let’s talk about mice, because in rural South Dakota, they’re not a possibility — they’re a certainty.

Prevention beats extermination: - Seal every opening larger than 1/4 inch in your storage building. Mice can squeeze through gaps you wouldn’t believe. - Store all feed in metal or heavy-duty containers with tight-fitting lids - Keep the area clean — spilled feed attracts rodents - Barn cats help, but they’re not a complete solution - Snap traps around the perimeter of storage areas - Bait stations (use carefully if you have dogs, cats, or children)

Signs of rodent activity: Droppings, gnaw marks on bags, shredded material (they’re building nests), and ammonia smell. If you see signs, act immediately — a few mice become dozens in weeks.

Using Self-Storage for Seed and Feed

Not every small farm has adequate outbuildings. Old barns leak, sheds aren’t insulated, and garages are already full of equipment. A self-storage unit can fill the gap.

When a storage unit makes sense: - You bought seed early to lock in pricing but don’t have proper on-farm storage - Your feed storage building needs repairs and you need a temporary solution - You’re running a small livestock operation on an acreage without dedicated outbuildings - You need overflow space during peak seasons — spring planting and fall harvest especially

What to look for in a unit: - Climate control for seed storage (temperature and humidity stability) - Ground-level access for loading and unloading heavy bags - Drive-up units so you can back a truck right to the door - Clean, well-maintained facility — existing pest problems in a facility mean your feed is at risk

Lock N’ Leave It Storage in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman offers drive-up units with easy access — ideal for farmers who need to load and unload quickly.

Seasonal Storage Calendar for Small Farms

January-February: Order seed for spring planting. Begin storing in climate-controlled space. Stock up on feed before late-winter price increases.

March-April: Move spring seed to staging area. Clean and prepare feed storage for new season. Check all containers for rodent damage from winter.

May-June: Plant remaining seed. Store unused seed properly for potential replanting. Summer feed schedule begins — rotate stock.

July-August: Midsummer — check stored hay for heating (spontaneous combustion risk with high-moisture hay). Monitor feed storage temperatures.

September-October: Harvest season. Secure new grain storage. Order fall cover crop seed. Begin stocking winter feed supplies.

November-December: Ensure all winter feed is stored and protected. Button up storage buildings for winter. Check seed storage conditions before deep cold sets in.

Common Mistakes

Storing seed in an uninsulated metal building. Temperature swings inside an uninsulated metal shed are worse than outside. Morning condensation on cold metal walls drips onto stored goods.

Buying more feed than you can properly store. Yes, bulk pricing is better. But the savings disappear if 20% of it molds before you use it.

Using cardboard boxes for feed storage. Mice go through cardboard like it’s not there. Use metal or heavy-duty plastic.

Not rotating stock. Old feed on the bottom, new feed on top means you’re always using the freshest and letting the oldest go bad.

Ignoring ventilation. Sealed is good for seed in containers. But the room itself needs air flow to prevent condensation and mold.

Protect Your Investment

Seed and feed represent thousands of dollars per season for even a small operation. Proper storage protects that investment and ensures your livestock stay healthy and your planting season starts strong.

If your on-farm storage isn’t cutting it, Lock N’ Leave It Storage in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman has options that work for agricultural use. Drive-up access, climate-controlled units for sensitive seed stock, and month-to-month flexibility that fits farming’s unpredictable schedule.

Contact us today to find the right unit for your operation. Your seed and feed work too hard to waste on bad storage.