What is in this article?: - Minimize Heat Damage, Spoilage, Fuel
Consumption When Drying Corn - Reduce possibility of heat damage
Even though drying conditions are excellent now, some producers
may be faced with drying high-moisture or immature corn this
fall. To minimize spoilage during drying, do not use natural air
or low-temperature drying for corn with moisture contents of
more than 21%, according to Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State
University Extension Service grain drying expert. Natural air
drying doesn't work well in late fall because the air's drying
capacity is extremely poor at temperatures below about 35° F.
When outdoor temperatures average near or below freezing,
Hellevang recommends cooling the corn to 20-25° F for storage
this winter and finishing drying in early April. Natural air
drying is the most energy- and cost-effective method of drying
at that point. Limit the corn depth to about 20-22 ft. to obtain
the proper airflow rate for drying. An airflow rate of 1-1.25
cubic ft./minute (cfm)/