Warm summer months have led to low percentages of corn moisture in the fields.
"Last year was abnormally high, this year was abnormally low," pointed out Mark Kepler, Fulton County Purdue Extension agriculture educator.
According to Cass County farmer Dennis Ramer, his corn's moisture has been averaging about 15 percent.
"It's just unusual for it to be that dry," he said. "Generally, between 18 to 20 percent is as low as it gets."
While Ramer has seen the low levels at the end of harvest season, he's never seen them that low so early.
Tamara Ogle, Cass County's ag educator, said moisture level is an important aspect to farmers.
"If you put it in the bin too wet, you will have a lot of mold and fungus," she explained.
The mold and fungus will lead to problem with the seeds, such as vomitoxin, which causes problems when feeding it to animals.
Another reason drying corn is important is to prevent kernels from crusting together or to the side of the bin, Ogle said. If that happens, the safety of farmers entering bins comes into question as the corn could cave in on them.
The lower moisture percentage benefits farmers in several ways.
Kepler said it saves money, reduces time and produces a better quality product. Better quality equals more money for the farmer.
"If it dries naturally in the field, the corn quality is so much better," Kepler said. "Otherwise, the corn gets cracks and breaks easily because it is dried so quickly."
Better quality corn also means a better test weight for the farmer, as well as less chance for getting docked, said Ramer. The farmer usually prefers to see the moisture levels in the low 20s. The main disadvantage for lower moisture levels is more field loss.
"When it gets that dry, it shells real easy off the cob," he explained.
Even though Ramer has seen some shelling at the corn head, he believes the lower drying cost will offset the loss of any kernels.
Each ear of corn contains moisture as it grows in the field. Kepler said as the corn matures, it become drier.
"All seeds eventually dry down as they mature," he said. "It is the drying phase."
During a normal year, most farmers will start harvesting mature corn with a moisture level between 20 and 25 percent.
Last year, farmers dealt with much cooler temperatures, which caused the crop to grow slower. The cooler temperatures also meant the corn was still wet while it tried to mature. When it was time to harvest, corn moisture was around 30 percent.
"Heat and sunlight makes the corn grow," said Kepler.
The high moisture last year meant long lines at the elevator for farmers. Kepler spoke to one farmer last year who spent four hours in the field, but an entire day waiting at the elevator.
"Guys spent a lot of time waiting on corn to dry and consequently a few corn dryers went in this year," said Kepler. "Even some brand new systems had to go in."
The longer it takes to dry corn, the more money farmers must spend on the gas to run the dryers, whether using their own system or taking it to an elevator.
This year's corn moisture and drying costs have been the complete opposite.
Corn was planted early this year, with many farmers getting into the fields during mid-April. For those who planted early, they benefited from plentiful rain in May and June. August turned dry, which Kepler felt allowed the corn to become ready early this year.
For any farmer who planted later, however, Kepler said they may have been hurt by the dry month.
This year's average corn moisture percentage has been between 17 and 18 percent, Kepler said.
"They're not spending as much money on LP gas or drying costs at the elevator."
The ideal percentage for farmers to take to the elevator is around 15 percent. Kepler said if the moisture level is above a certain percentage, the farmer is charged to adjust it the correct level.
While farmers should expect lower drying costs this year, Kepler expects a majority of farmers to use a dryer.
"You will always need them," he said. "Virtually every bushel will go through a dryer. There may be some this year that may not, but I think almost every bushel will."
Ramer still expects to dry close to 65 percent of his harvested corn, simply because of the way the system is designed. He explained he uses an air system that conveys the corn out of dryer, which then fills the grain bins.
While Ramer won't necessarily have to run the that, he has because some of the corn came in at 17 percent moisture.
Nevertheless, Ramer will still benefit from the lower levels of moisture this year.
"I would have to think it means more income per acre," he said. "It's also a definite time saver."
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