Grain storage options for dry grain

Initial assessments of standing corn and soybeans in the county suggest that the crops are drying down very fast, especially since the frost.

Based on some initial samples we are concerned that corn destined for "snaplage" could get too dry before it gets harvested. Also, some fields that got flooded still have significant silt on the corn husks, and may be best harvested as dry shell corn.

Recommended kernel moisture for HMC, HMEC,and snaplage is the same, 26-32%. The cob in HMEC and snaplage will increase the moisture content of the total feed another 4-6%. The literature suggests that moisture content as high as 40% is OK for snaplage.

If farms would be best served by letting the grain go for dry shell corn, the questions become what we can do with the grain once harvested. Some grain, if it is not contaminated with silt, could be purchased by the local feed mills, or stored and mixed into a farmer's feed.

With the advent of custom on farm grain processing in Delaware County (Dennis Deysenroth's grinder-mixer available for rent as well as the Albano's roller and grinder mills), another option would be on farm storage and grinding.

As most farms do not have on farm grain storage, one option that might be attractive is storing grain in an ag bag. This has been done successfully in the midwest for the last 10 years. Moisture content plays a big role in how the crop keeps. As you might suspect, corn that is too dry for HMEC (or snaplage) but too wet for dry shell is the hardest to manage.

There is little information suggesting that aeration is necessary for proper storage in bags, but in principle, getting the grain cool and keeping it cool is still a good idea. Rodent and bird damage is also a consideration.

Below are links to some good articles on the subject.

Please note that some industry literature indicates that silage bag and grain bags are manufactured with different properties due to differences in stress that the grain places on the bag verses silage and to accommodate automatic grain bag unloading equipment.


Iowa Farmer Today article

University of Minnesota Engineering Notes

AT films article

Treatment of Flooded High Moisture Corn and Corn Silage

For producers who have decided to harvest flooded corn crops for silage, high moisture ear corn or snaplage, treatment with either bacterial inoculants or proprionic acid is highly recommended. This is even more important with corn that has been flooded close to harvest because flooded corn will likely have contamination with undesirable bacteria such as clostridium.

Some research had shown that inoculation of high moisture ear corn with a high moisture corn specific inoculant will result in a faster pH drop than treatment with proprionic acid. Treatment with proprionic acid can result on better aerobic stability at feedout than inoculation with a Lactic acid bacterial inoculant, with the exception of Lactobacillus buchneri, which results in excellent aerobic stability.

Given that high moisture grains ferment slower to begin with, and that flooded corn fermentation could be compromised by competition with undesirable bacteria, it makes sense to choose to use a bacterial inoculant to improve the population of good bacteria and speed fermentation. Use of L. buchneri inoculant may be a good option to speed fermentation and get good aerobic stability.

When applying inoculant on compromised crops, a higher application rate than typically recommended might be advisable. Experience indicates that at least doubling the regular rate is appropriate.

Below are links to two good University of Wisconsin Extension articles by Mike Rankin on harvest and treatment of high moisture corn.

Wisconsin Crop Manager
High Moisture Corn Harvest Considerations

Flooded Crops in Delaware County 10.1.2010

As you have seen or probably surmised, we are getting flooded corn, soybeans and haycrop in Delaware County as I write. I have heard reports that flooding in Bloomville area is over the ears, but I have not seen it yet myself. The Charlotte near me appears not yet over the ears on some corn on one river flat, but is still rising. We are presently working on 5+ inches of rain.

Outlook for Corn for silage (including snaplage) and beans is not good, especially if flooding was over the ears.

Individual Field assessments will be a must. Chopping above the waterline on corn is a good strategy to limit contamination. Quickly receding waters will help reduce silt deposits.

Farmers should report flooding of crops to USDA FSA in Walton 607-865-4005

Here are links to two very good articles on management of flooded crops.

Penn State Flooded Crops Article
University of Kentucky Flooded Crops Article