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

DEC Open Burning Regulations

Under the new regulations, you are allowed to burn the following items on your property;

• On-site burning of agricultural wastes as part of a valid agricultural operation on contiguous agricultural lands larger than five acres actively devoted to agricultural or horticultural use, provided such waste is actually grown or generated on those lands and such waste is capable of being fully burned within a 24-hour period. This includes the use of liquid petroleum fueled smudge pots to prevent frost damage to crops.

• DEC defines "Agricultural Land" as the land and on-farm buildings, equipment, manure processing and handling facilities, and practices that contribute to the production, preparation and marketing of crops, livestock and livestock products as a commercial enterprise, including a 'commercial horse boarding operation' and 'timber processing'. Such farm operation may consist of one or more parcels of owned or rented land, which parcels may be contiguous or noncontiguous to each other.

• DEC defines “Agricultural Waste” as any waste from naturally grown products such as vines, trees and branches from orchards, leaves and stubble. In addition, any fully organic waste either grown or generated on the premises, including but not limited to paper feed bags, wood shavings used for livestock bedding, bailing twine, and other non-plastic materials. Agricultural waste does not include pesticide containers, fertilizer bags, large plastic storage bags (including bags commonly known as "Ag bags"), offal, tires, plastic feed bags, and other plastic or synthetic materials.

• Individual open fires as approved by the Director of the Division of Air Resources as may be required in response to an outbreak of a plant or animal disease upon request by the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets, or for the destruction of invasive plant and insect species.

• Downed limbs and branches (including branches with attached leaves or needles) less than six inches in diameter and eight feet in length between May 15th and the following March 15th (Meaning no burning of these items between March 15 and May 15).

• Barbecue grills, maple sugar arches and similar outdoor cooking devices can be used only for cooking or processing food.

• Small fires used for cooking and camp fires provided that only charcoal or untreated wood is used as fuel and the fire is not left unattended until extinguished.

• Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires provided that only untreated wood or other agricultural products are used as fuel and the fire is not left unattended until extinguished.

• Small fires that are used to dispose of a flag or religious item, and small fires or other smoke producing process where not otherwise prohibited by law that are used in connection with a religious ceremony.

• Fire training, including firefighting, fire rescue, and fire/arson investigation training, performed under applicable rules and guidelines of the New York State Department of State's Office of Fire Prevention and Control. For fire training performed on acquired structures, the structures must be emptied and stripped of any material that is toxic, hazardous or likely to emit toxic smoke (such as asbestos, asphalt shingles and vinyl siding or other vinyl products) prior to burning and must be at least 300 feet from other occupied structures. No more than one structure per lot or within a 300 foot radius (whichever is bigger) may be burned in a training exercises.

If you have questions follow this link.

www.nysaes.cornell.edu/recommends/RAPPPSummary-CornellGuidelines2008Oct27.pdf.

Ensiling Wet Corn Silage

The discussions on corn silage maturity have centered on monitoring dry matter content to time harvest thus far. The golden rule is to assess whole plant moisture content and harvest at the 65-70% range.

However, what should be done if corn silage is harvested too wet? ( some farmers are worried about a wet fall and will harvest silage wetter than they would like).

Wet corn silage is more likely to undergo extensive fermentation and have high levels of acetic acid (which can reduce intake).

Two recommendations stand out:

• Increasing length of cut for wet silage to maintain effective fiber (especially important in higher corn silage diets)
• Inoculate with homolactic lactic acid bacteria (LAB)

In general immature corn does not need inoculation to ferment, but the idea is to populate the silage with lactic acid producing bacteria to encourage more lactic (vs acetic) acid production. Also, should corn get frosted hard, natural populations of lactic acid bacteria will be reduced, and need to be supplemented.

A couple articles on this:

Michigan state
Kansas State (Bolson)

Corn Manturing Slowly

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Dale Dewing 9/1/2009

Corn is manturing slowly this year. I was out looking over fields in the Delhi area today. Even the earliest planted corn was still only in the milk stage, the kernals would still squirt when you pressed them with a fingernail. The hill top corn was only at the blister stage (picture at right). Let's all pray for more heat.

Tom Kilcer of Advanced Ag Systems (click for more info) included this chart in his August 2009 Crop and Soil Newsletter.

If your corn is currently at:

Full Dent Stage: 1 week – 10 days away from ¼ milk line

Early Dent Stage: 2 weeks to ¼ milk line

Late Milk Stage: 2 ½ weeks to ¼ milk line (doesn’t squirt, but does not have much dent.)

Early Milk Stage: 3 weeks to ¼ milk line (squirts when the kernel is pressed.)

Blister Stage: 25 days to ¼ milk line

Just tasseled: 40 days minimum to ¼ milk line Wait for a frost to dry it somewhat before chopping.

Posted by Dale Dewing at 3:56 PM

Yellow Corn Now Wet Silage

The recent trade publications are reminding us what a poor growing season we have had for corn. Dr. Bill Cox is is quoted in American Agriculturist that by the end of July the northern New York growing- degree were down 16%. We might well be dealing with a lot of immature corn this year. Cornell studies suggest that maximum milk is achieved if corn is harvested at 32%-35% dry mater.
Some tips to increase dry matter in corn this year: Chop high, Chop in the afternoon after the dew is off.
Other ideas for dealing with imature corn or frosted corn can be found on the Vermont University website.

Click here to see the Vermont article

More Articles:
Iowa State Article
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
Michigan State Article