TGM | Targeted Grain Management

Targeted Grain Management, Inc. (TGM) is pleased to announce availability of its advanced grain management solution, the TGM System.

The primary advantage of the TGM System is its ability to prevent spoilage at low cost during storage of bulk grains in properly aerated bins. Another advantage is to control the moisture content (MC) to achieve a targeted, deliverable MC with extremely high uniformity from top to bottom.

The System includes a weather station, the SiteLink™, to determine the Predictive Moisture Content (PMC™) of the outside air so it can be ‘linked’ to the grain in the bin by blowing when the air is optimal to produce a targeted outcome. This is better than expensive grain monitoring systems and makes them irrelevant whether a cable system, CO2 sensors and even emerging technologies similar to an MRI that provide visualization of grain conditions. The proactive approach of the TGM System is
better due to preventing problems, rather then waiting to detect them and then trying to minimize them. The old saying “A stitch in time saves nine” really applies to grain storage.

The SiteLink housing is a special solar radiation shield designed to be installed above mown grass in direct sun away from bins, trees and other influences in order to deliver high precision readings. These are used to calculate PMC values each minute for each bin. The PMC values are automatically adaptive to weather according to the settings and history for a bin so that optimum air is blown through the
grain. One minute resolution enables taking advantage of every opportunity to move the grain to its
Targeted Moisture Content (TMC). AI helps avoid false fan starts and un-productive cycling.

This capability enables re-hydrating grain with better control. Full natural air drying control with properly designed bins and sound regimens is available.

Each bin is equipped with a BinNode™ that senses the Temperature (T) and Relative Humidity (RH) (converted to EMC) of the plenum and exhaust air and records this while the fan(s) is running. It also measures the static (differential) pressure created by the fan(s). The plenum values are used to adjust for fan heat and micro-climates and the exhaust values indicate progress toward a TMC. A patented feature is to automatically select the fan(s) run times adjusted to the heat generated by the fan(s) from compression. Thus, if a bin is partially emptied the System automatically adjusts to select dryer air to achieve a TMC. Fan actuators are available for fans with built in starters, and Modbus is available for remotely started fans.

A master controller, the Bintel™ (for Bin Intelligence), serves multiple purposes:

• it is a gateway to the TGM private network;
• it manages each bin with its own program;
• it encrypts all data on the wire and at rest;
• it diagnoses problems and sends alerts such as a fan failure;
• it manages electric loads;
• it provides a user interface (UI) – multiple sites have secure cross-linking;
• it manages backups;
• it stores weather data to perpetuity; it uses AI to guide setting policies; it is future-proofed.

The design of the TGM System is modular. Each grain storage site is equipped with 1 SiteLink and 1
Bintel, and each bin is equipped with 1 BinNode – more can be added easily. Site communication is

high performance, secure Ethernet that uses existing electrical lines to minimize installation costs. Remote communication is via a private cellular network. The latest IBM technologies embodied in Informix assure security and performance for all data. No specialized crews are required so a regular electrician can keep things in sync.

The basic System that performs today is also equipped to seamlessly enable future features. The TGM Platform (all sites and the data center) is built to provide compliance with FSMA as traceability and audit systems unfold. A private BlockChain will validate the provenance of each lot of grain regarding origin, quality, purity and storage conditions that can be shared with others – only with permission. It is equipped to interface to the Smart Grid as those advantages roll out. In the meantime it synchronizes electrical loads to save on transformers and minimize local brown outs. Time of day lock outs and load queuing avoid or minimize demand charges without risk to the grain. Configurable delays for fan starts and stops minimize strain on the electrical system.

The TGM System also will help buyers ‘Target’ the superior, safer grain produced. TGM believes that the mycotoxins produced by molds are a major health hazard to humans, pets and livestock. More food companies are seeking high purity grains to protect their brands. The TGM System equips one to meet the highest quality, purity and traceability standards that are emerging in order to receive a better price. Good management and the TGM System assure the highest ROI.
For more information please visit https://www.ibm.com/case-studies/targeted-grain-management. For questions please contact us to schedule a call.

Targeted Grain Management, Inc.
16 Technology, STE 104
Irvine, CA 92618
800 227 2279 tgmsystem.com

Copyright © 2019 Targeted Grain Management, Inc.
IBM and Informix are registered trademarks of International Business Machines, Inc.

Irvine, CA April 27, 2015- Beneful dog food is the target of a lawsuit claiming that it is responsible for the deaths of over 3,000 dogs. The lawsuit, filed on February 5th, claims that mycotoxins are partially to blame. Mycotoxins are a poisonous byproduct of mold found in grain.

Purina has denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit “baseless”. Purina has over 400 scientists and sophisticated tracking systems in place to assure it’s products safety however, mycotoxins can be difficult to detect. The best way to ensure that mycotoxins are not present in grain products, is to prevent mold growth all together.

Targeted Grain Management, Inc. has a system that does this, they can also certify that the grain was never stored in conditions in which mold could be present. This certification as well as traceability of the grain products can protect consumers from difficult to detect poisons and provide brand protection for companies like Purina.

Contact: Targeted Grain Management, Inc. (800) 227-2279
info@tgmsystem.com

Irvine, Ca April 27, 2015- Food giant McDonald’s recently announced a two year plan to phase out the use of antibiotics used to raise chickens. The announcement comes in response to growing concern that humans can develop resistance to these antibiotics. With McDonalds substantial influence in the industry, it is likely that many other food companies will follow suit in an effort to protect their brands.

The plan will build on their policy released in June 2003, citing: “Sustained reductions in the total use of of antibiotics belonging to classes of compounds currently approved for use in human medicine are encouraged and will be considered a favorable factor in supply decisions.”

While others such as Chick-fil-A have also addressed the food safety issue, obtaining a cost-effective and sustainable supply has proven to be a challenge for all. Targeted Grain Management, Inc, has a system that can augment the safety efforts made by the food industry.

40 years of research and development have produced a proactive aeration control system that effectively and safely stores grain. Thousands of customers have reported no mold or insect activity. TGM has built on this technology by providing traceability and storage history for grain based ingredients purchased by food companies. This is a game changer for the food industry. TGM will be able to certify that the grain was stored in optimal condition, is free of harmful fungi by-products. This will greatly reduce the practice of treating livestock with antibiotics in their feed.

While the TGM System alone cannot solve the supply issue facing food companies, it is a simple, reliable, sustainable and cost effective way to better manage what goes into our food.

Contact: Targeted Grain Management, Inc. (800) 227-2279
info@tgmsystem.com

Irvine, CA – March 6, 2015: TGM applauds the recent announcement from McDonald’s to take steps to improve human health with supply chain enhancements.

TGM’s grain storage management technology can provide a viable and traceable solution to help the poultry industry meet McDonald’s goal of reducing antibiotic use.

The goal of McDonald’s and other food companies is to help mitigate the growing problem of resistance to some antibiotics used in human medical treatments – a side effect from adding antibiotics to chicken feed as a palliative.

A primary feature of TGM technology is prevention of mold growth during grain storage. Molds can produce mycotoxins which have various negative effects among which is suppression of human and animal immune systems. Eliminating this contamination in the primary feed* of poultry mitigates a root cause of illness and death in chicken flocks.

* Corn, soybeans and wheat approximate 68% to 82% of poultry diets – Chick-fil-A website.