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| Intensive grain bin monitoring critical to protecting income |
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Become addicted! … to checking your grain bins on a regular basis. Area grain bin dealers and service personnel have noted problems in stored corn, particularly that was harvested at a higher moisture. Fines have complicated the challenge of keeping the grain in condition.
Even if you think the corn is dry enough, coring the bin by taking out a load may save a spoilage headache down the road. Monitoring your bins on a regular basis will help protect your income.
We experienced varying levels of mold in corn this harvest season.
As the season wore on, additional molding occurred as grain moisture levels remained high and harvest was delayed. Farmers noted that molding and moisture levels varied by hybrid and planting date. Stopping by a couple of elevators last week, I spotted numerous samples pulled from corn being delivered, either directly from the field or on farm storage. All were to be checked for mycotoxins.
Grain buyers are wary of exceeding mycotoxin levels acceptable to end users, including livestock feeders and ethanol plants.
Livestock managers are advised to check their own corn for contaminant levels to avoid feeding challenges. We continue to receive reports of hogs going off feed. Hopefully, by evaluating grain/feed quality, farmers can avoid breeding and gestation problems in all livestock species. Ruminants are usually better equipped to deal with low levels of mycotoxins.
However, it is best to check with your nutritional consultant for feeding guidelines.
Ethanol plants are concerned with mold levels for two reasons. Mold organisms consume starch, so increased levels of molds suggest there will be less starch in the corn, thus a lower ethanol yield. Higher incidence of molds is likely to result in increased levels of mycotoxins in the distiller’s grain by-product, making it lower in value as a livestock feed supplement.
Bottom line: Keeping the 2009 corn crop in good shape may not be easy, but is essential not only for feeding, but also ethanol production. Check those bins, use grain probes and thermometers. Turn on the fan and use your nose to detect the musty odor of grain going out of condition. Grain in the bin is a huge investment. Guard against avoidable losses.
Registration is due Monday for the December 17 Ohio Grain Farmers Symposium. The all-day event at the Lima Convention Center in Lima, Ohio features nationally recognized speakers of interest to corn, soybean and wheat farmers.
Go as early as 7:30 a.m. to visit with over twenty tradeshow exhibitors. Learn about the latest in grain marketing during an 8:30 a.m. session with Dr. Matt Roberts from Ohio State University Extension.
Veteran farm policy Writer Sara Wyant provides a Washington outlook at 9 a.m., followed by an animal agriculture/animal activist’s analysis.
Hear about topics ranging from biofuels to biotech wheat and climate change confusion to global land use changes. Check out presentations on our national transportation infrastructure, aquaculture and a bio-based competitor to WD-40.
Great speakers, interesting subjects. Plan to attend!
Check out the entire program online by visiting www.ohiograinfarmerssymposium.org or call 888-769-6446 for more details. |
| 12/9/2009 |
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