The test weight of corn being harvested is another issue with the 2009 corn crop, with much of the corn now being harvested at a test weight of 50-52 lbs./bu., with some even lower. Ideal test weight for corn is 54-56 lbs./bu., and most grain elevators dock the market price for corn below 54 lbs. Some ethanol plants and corn processing plants may have restrictions on how much corn they are willing to accept below 52 lbs. The combination of drying costs and shrink resulting from high grain moisture content, along with the very low test weights, means that producers could be discounted as much as $1/bu. or more when delivering wet corn near 30% moisture directly out of the field to a grain elevator.

If the high moisture content and low test are not causing enough misery for corn producers, farmers in some areas are also finding the development of kernel molds and mycotoxins on some corn still in the field. The development of molds is very consistent with the cool, wet weather conditions that have occurred this October, and is likely to be most prevalent in fields with later-maturing corn hybrids that may not have fully matured when the first killing frost occurred.

If producers notice a high incidence of corn kernel or ear molds they should use extra caution when storing and handling this corn, and they may want to restrict mixing this corn with good-quality corn in order to avoid contamination of larger amounts of corn in storage. If the kernel molds are present in significant amounts, farm operators should contact their crop insurance agent before harvesting the corn, as they may be eligible for some additional crop insurance benefits due to low-quality corn.

Late Harvest Resources
The University of Minnesota Extension Service has developed a special Web site to assist farm operators with late harvest decisions and management. Topics include drying soybeans, high-moisture corn drying and storage, mold in corn, soil fertility considerations and more. The site can be accessed at: http://www.extension.umn.edu/lateharvest/.