Maintaining top-tier grain quality from harvest through storage is essential for maximizing profitability. For growers, Pioneer Timing in harvesting is the most critical controllable factor in achieving this goal. Harvesting corn at excessively high moisture levels can lead to significant kernel damage during threshing and drying processes. Conversely, extending the field drying period for too long can diminish both yield and quality, especially if stalk or ear rot diseases or insect infestations escalate.
Ear rots pose a significant threat, particularly when fall weather turns wet. Ears in ground contact under damp conditions are highly susceptible to rapid ear rot development. Regular field scouting during the drydown phase is crucial. Inspect ears for signs of insect damage or ear rots by pulling back husks from 5 plants across 5 different field locations. Severe issues warrant considering an earlier harvest, followed by drying the grain to below 18% moisture. This halts the progression of both insect activity and diseases, preserving optimal grain quality.
Many growers understand the challenges of harvesting corn with high moisture content due to delayed planting or cool temperatures, and are acutely aware of the detrimental effects on grain quality. Grain quality experts generally advise allowing corn to field dry to below 20% moisture before harvesting. However, if grain quality is declining, initiating harvest at around 25% moisture might be necessary, particularly when managing multiple at-risk fields. The determining factor in these scenarios is diligent monitoring of both moisture levels and overall crop condition from physiological maturity onwards, embodying the principles of pioneer timing.
Understanding the Costs of Drying
Reducing moisture content by one point in a bushel of corn requires approximately 0.02 gallons of propane. With propane priced at $1.50 per gallon, this equates to a cost of 3 cents per bushel. Consequently, harvesting at 25% moisture instead of allowing field drying to 20% incurs an additional drying cost of 15 cents per bushel (excluding time-related drying expenses). With corn valued at $3.50 per bushel, preserving just 4.3% of yield ($0.15/$3.50) is sufficient to offset the cost of removing an extra 5 points of moisture through drying. The table below illustrates the bushels per acre of corn needed to cover the added drying expenses associated with early harvesting across varying yield levels.
It’s important to note that while pioneer timing emphasizes proactive management, understanding the economic implications of drying is equally crucial for informed decision-making.
Table 3. Bushels per acre of corn required to offset additional drying costs when harvesting early.
| Yield (bu/acre) | Additional bu/acre to cover drying costs |
|---|---|
| 150 | 2.1 |
| 175 | 2.5 |
| 200 | 2.9 |
| 225 | 3.2 |
By adhering to pioneer timing principles—closely monitoring crop conditions, understanding moisture levels, and strategically managing drying costs—growers can effectively optimize their harvest, ensuring premium grain quality and maximizing profitability.
