This season, significant variability in corn's moisture content and maturity is noted, affecting farmers' harvest decisions. Ken Hellevang of North Dakota State University Extension identifies factors such as a challenging spring, varied rainfall, planting dates, maturity ratings, and growing degree days as contributors. He emphasizes the necessity of thoroughly inspecting each field and its various areas.
Optimum harvest moisture content is typically around 20%. Exceeding this increases drying costs, while lower percentages cause more mechanical damage and field loss. The amount of in-field drying depends on factors like corn maturity, hybrid, air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed.
Hellevang highlights that in North Dakota, field drying is generally more economical until mid to late October, after which high-temperature mechanical drying is favored.
Corn with an initial moisture content of 20-21% can undergo natural-air and low-temperature drying, requiring a minimum airflow rate of 1.0 cubic feet per minute per bushel. In northern states, this method faces limitations in fall, with drying times of 40 days in October and 70 days in November.
The process is hindered as moisture-holding capacity drops at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, farmers are recommended to store wet corn over winter at 20-30 degrees and dry it in spring when temperatures rise above 40 degrees.
A variety of dryers and high-temperature corn drying options are available, each offering specific features and benefits. These include cross-flow dryers, mixed-flow dryers, and in-bin dryers, some equipped with corn turners and vacuum or heat reclaim cooling.
The drying cost per point of moisture removed can be calculated by multiplying the propane cost per gallon by 0.02, providing an estimation of the propane cost for drying.
For winter storage, corn should be dried to about 15.5% moisture, and further to 13% to 14% if intended for storage into the next summer. Hellevang advocates using temperature cables for monitoring but emphasizes that technology does not substitute management. Regular checks on corn moisture content, quality, and insect inspections remain essential.
It's very important to stay safe when working with grain. People should wear an N95 mask to protect against dust and never go into grain bins when grain is moving. Using a lock-out tag-out system helps keep workers safe around grain drying and handling equipment.?
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Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Corn