Short Answer 
The use of grain crushers poses risks of contamination due to increased surface area and potential loss of volatile components. It can also lead to uneven particle reduction, affecting yield and quality, and may influence agricultural practices with negative environmental impacts such as soil erosion. Proper equipment maintenance and calibrating crushers can help mitigate these issues.
Step 1: Understand the Risks of Contamination
Using a grain crusher significantly increases the surface area of the grains, which raises the risk of contamination. This contamination can occur from the materials used in the crushing process or from environmental factors. As the grains are crushed and ground, volatile components may also be lost due to the heat generated, altering the grain’s overall quality. It’s essential to ensure that equipment is clean to minimize these risks.
Step 2: Acknowledge Particle Reduction Challenges
Uneven particle reduction is another disadvantage when using grain crushers. This inconsistency means that some grains may be ground into finer particles while others remain coarser, leading to uneven distribution of important analytes during further processing. Softer grains are particularly at risk of being lost as dust, which can affect both yield and quality. Proper calibration of the crusher can help mitigate this issue.
Step 3: Consider Agricultural Impacts
The use of grain crushers can influence agricultural practices, particularly regarding plowing methods. The encouragement of certain plowing techniques may lead to increased soil erosion and water loss, compounding environmental challenges. Traditional methods, such as contour plowing, could be more effective at preserving soil integrity, so it’s important to assess the long-term effects of the practices adopted after using grain crushers.