Tri-County News

Harvesting progress report


Minnesota crop progress report and guidelines for harvesting, drying and storing late-maturing and high-moisture corn

The Minnesota Crop Progress Report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service reports as of Oct. 10, 2014, that corn harvest continued to be delayed because of high moisture levels, with only 
7 percent of the crop now harvested, two and a half weeks behind average and the slowest progress since 2009. Moisture content of harvested corn was estimated at twenty-six percent, down two points from last week. Sixty-eight percent of the corn crop is in good to excellent condition. Eighty-seven percent of the corn for silage has been harvested, two weeks behind average.

Nearly forty percent of Minnesota?Äôs soybean acres were harvested during the past week of
Oct. 3 to 10, 2014. As of Oct. 10, a total of 62 percent of the soybean crop was harvested so progress is now only four days behind average. Sixty-six percent of the soybean crop was reported in good to excellent condition.

The cost of drying corn versus leaving corn in the field to dry:

A recently published University of Minnesota Crop E-news article list at z.umn.edu/pss, provides information to growers who are considering leaving high moisture corn versus on-farm drying. Growers who are considering leaving corn in the field to dry should make sure stalks and shanks are strong. Field losses can range from minor to severe. Compare the cost of drying versus losses associated with leaving the corn in the field. The propane cost per bushel per point of moisture removed can be estimated by multiplying the propane price per gallon by 0.02. For example, the cost to remove 10 points of moisture using $2 propane is $0.40. Dividing the propane cost ($0.40) by the corn price ($3.00) provides the percentage of corn losses that will equal the drying cost. For example, $0.40/$3.00 = 0.13 or 13 percent.  Also, verify the impact on your crop insurance on leaving the corn in the field.

Natural air drying, holding corn over the winter:

Because the drying capacity is extremely poor at outside temperatures below 35 to 40 degrees, little drying is possible using a natural-air system after November 1. The primary effect of adding heat during the drying process is to reduce the final corn moisture content. When outdoor temperatures average near or below freezing, cool the corn to 20 to 25 degrees for winter storage and finish drying in the spring (April to early May). Limit corn depth to 20 – 22 feet so an airflow rate of 1 – 1.25 cubic feet per minute per bushel can be provided. This is necessary to dry the corn before deterioration occurs. Turn fans off during extended periods of rain, snow or fog in the spring to minimize the amount of moisture pulled into the bin.

High temperature drying on the farm:

Using the maximum drying temperature that will not damage the corn increases dryer capacity. It also reduces the energy or propane consumption of a high-temperature dryer. Removing a pound of water requires about twenty percent less energy at a drying air temperature of 200¬? F than at 150 degrees F. Follow the dryer manufacturer?Äôs recommendation; generally recommended dryer plenum temperatures are 210 degrees to 230¬? degrees F. More mechanical damage to the corn occurs when harvesting high-moisture corn which affects its storage life. For corn that?Äôs low-test-weight or has increased damage, dry it one percentage point lower in moisture content than normal. Check immature and damaged grain more frequently and do not put immature or damaged corn in long-term storage.

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