University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

March 9, 2007

Spring Grain Drying Recommendations

Q

  

I couldn’t finish drying my corn with natural air last fall.
When should I resume drying in spring?

 

A

   If corn at the top of the bin is wetter than 19%, run the fan continuously until the corn is dry, starting March 1. For 17-19% moisture corn, run the fan continuously starting March 15 until the corn is dry.

For corn less than 17% moisture that is to be dried to 14% or less moisture, run the fan continuously starting about April 1 until the corn is dry. If you are shooting for a final moisture of 15%, turn the fan off when the humidity is less than 50% to avoid overdrying corn in the bottom of the bin.

Source: Adapted for Nebraska from Natural-Air Corn Drying in the Upper Midwest by William Wilcke and R. Vance Morey, University of Minnesota Extension, available online at http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/DC6577.html#Heat

Tom Dorn
Extension Educator in Lancaster County

 

 

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© 2007 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.
Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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