Variable Storage Rate Calculator
Variable storage rate calculator for elevator and commercial grain storage — multiply $/bu/month by months and bushels to estimate total hold cost before you store.
Total storage cost
$2,400.00
$400.00/month · $0.24 per bushel over the full hold. Compare to carry and expected price gain before you store.
Variable storage rate cost for commercial grain
A variable storage rate calculator estimates what an elevator or commercial warehouse will charge to hold your grain. Enter the posted $/bushel/month, how many months you plan to store, and bushels. The tool multiplies them for total storage cost, monthly cost, and cost per bushel over the full hold.
This page uses commercial / elevator storage framing — the charge you see on a settlement or storage agreement — not USDA CCC Farm Storage Facility Loan interest schedules. If you are comparing on-farm bins to elevator storage, run both the storage bill here and ownership cost on the grain bin cost calculator.
The simple VSR formula
Storage cost = $/bu/month × months × bushels
Example: $0.04/bu/month × 6 months × 10,000 bu = $2,400 total ($0.24 per bushel for the hold, $400 per month).
| Input | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| $/bu/month | Elevator tariff or storage agreement |
| Months | Harvest to expected sale / delivery |
| Bushels | Scale tickets or bin inventory |
Some elevators bill a flat monthly minimum, handle in/out fees separately, or change the rate after a free period. Add those extras outside this estimate when your contract includes them.
When commercial storage is worth it
Storage only pays if expected price gain (or basis improvement) exceeds storage cost, interest on delayed sale, and quality risk. Pair this calculator with the grain moisture calculator if shrink and drying affect saleable bushels, and the grain sales tracker to see what is still unpriced.
On-farm bins shift cost to ownership, aeration, and opportunity cost of capital — different math than elevator VSR. Use bin volume for capacity and bin cost for purchase estimates.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the USDA CCC variable storage rate?
No. This tool models elevator / commercial storage charges in $/bu/month. CCC and FSFL programs use different rate schedules.
Do elevators all charge the same VSR?
No. Rates, free days, and handling fees vary by location and grain. Use your elevator’s posted number.
Should I include drying charges?
Drying and shrink are usually separate from storage. Estimate moisture adjustments with the grain moisture calculator, then add storage here.