Storing wet corn?

[tomstractorsandtoys]

Finished corn harvest and have 250 bu. extra shelled corn that is 18-19% moisture on a wagon. My dryer is a 550 bu batch dryer so I am unable to dry a half batch.How long will this corn keep on a wagon? Should I put a fan in it? I am in WI and it is very cold now. I will grind about 50-70 bu per week. Thanks Tom

 

[rrlund]

Do you have a slab where you can spread it out thin?
I remember a guy down the road having some wet kidney beans one time. His son told him he might as well dump them,but he spread them out on the floor of the old barn and kept stirring them up with a grain scoop and he got those dry enough to sell.

 

[paul]

If it is cold it should work out for you. Like anything, there is some risk and need to watch it. A fan would be great if you have one, but hardly pays to go get one new. They seem to sell for $40 at auctions of late.

Paul

 

[skip33652]

it will store at 19 for several weeks as long as its cold. You should be fine.Paul

 

[INCase]

I saw a chart once from one of the mid-west universities showing how long you could store certain levels of moisture at certain temperatures. The colder it is the longer you can store it.

if its in a gravity wagon the bottom will have the least amount of air BUT you'll always be pulling from the bottom as you grind. you could stir the top a bit once in a while.

 

[OH Boy]

Could you add some dry corn to it to get enough for a dryer load?

 

[BradyW]

I kept some in a wagon last year in WI that was about the same % it was fine, I run it through hammer mill it was fine. Think it depend on the weather and temp. The way the weather is looking this year.. it will freeze dry..lol

 

[flying belgian]

I would be more concerned about it spoiling after it is ground or caking up in the feeder. If you have dry corn on the place I would use enough of that to fill dryer.

 

[Nebraska Cowman]

Frozen corn will keep as long as it stays frozen. But if it once thaws out it will make it's own heat.

 

[Heat Houser]

From the chart, 18% will keep 80 days at 57 degrees (actual grain temp).

At 50bu/week, it will be gone in 35 days.

19% will keep 80 days at 48 degrees.

Have attached the link for blending grain to achieve a desired moisture content if you would want to blend out your wagon load with your dry.

Now to read the chart in the other direction.
18% corn will last 35 days at 70 degrees.
19% will last 35 days at 63 degrees.

Note....valid for shelled corn, not ground corn. But one week for the total batch of ground corn to eaten, no problem.
Blending grain

 

[IowaJohn]

You should be fine without doing anything but grinding out of it. You'll keep some movement by emptying the wagon.