Dryeration and in-bin cooling can also increase drying capacity and reduce fuel costs, Buschermohle says.

“Proper airflow is critical for the most effective drying of corn. The capacity to dry the grain and cool it after drying is a function of fan size per cfm of airflow, so you need to be sure you have adequate fan capacity for your bins.”

While there are cost estimate calculators available for drying (Iowa State University has one), “the best way to determine costs is to keep records of the various expenses for your own operation,” Buschermohle says.

Estimates from the Midwest are 5.1¢/bu. for natural air drying; 11¢ for low-temperature (10°) heat drying; 13.5¢ for in-bin batch drying; 17.9¢ for continuous-flow drying with recirculating air; and 20.3¢ for continuous-flow without recirculating air. “Propane price will be a big factor in your drying costs,” he says.

“When corn comes out of the dryer, the quality is as good as it’s going to be,” Buschermohle says. “Grain quality won’t improve during storage; at best, quality can only be maintained. It’s up to you to do everything possible to keep that quality – if you don’t, things can get worse.”

Grain moisture content and temperature interact to affect storage risk, he notes. “Even the best management practices won’t keep grain from spoiling if moisture content and temperature are too high. As little as a 0.5% moisture increase can mean the difference between safe storage and a damaging invasion by fungi.”

Most grain drying systems were developed in the Midwest, Buschermohle says, “and conditions in the Midsouth, as every farmer knows, are markedly different, particularly in hurricane years or years with abnormally wet harvest periods.”

Corn in the field that is drought-stressed can also start a chain of conditions that are favorable to development of aflatoxin, or losses caused by other molds, which can increase during storage and result in significant price discounts or even rejection of the corn by the elevator. “You can’t hide many things at the elevator these days,” he says.

“In winter, you can store grain at a higher moisture content than in summer. If you plan to sell during the September-October period, you should store at 14% moisture; during November-March, 15%; April-May, 14%; and June-August, 13%.”

To help preserve grain quality in storage, Buschermohle recommends the SLAM program: sanitation, loading, aeration and monitoring.

• Remove all old grain from combines, truck beds, grain carts, bins, augers and other equipment used for harvesting/transportation/storage. “Even a small amount of insect-infested or moldy grain left over from a previous harvest can contaminate a bin of newly harvested grain.”
• Keep weeds down around bins to control insects and rodents.
• Inspect bins for holes, missing bolts and rust, and caulk, patch and make needed repairs to prevent water/rodent damage.
• Remove all debris from fans, exhaust vents and aeration ducts.
• After cleaning and repairing, sanitize walls, floors, under-floor areas and roof areas inside and out with an approved residual spray.