By Jamie Martin
As the harvest season picks up pace, a pivotal decision for farmers revolves around the optimal moisture level for harvesting corn. Recent studies advocate for an early harvest to capture higher yields and better returns.
According to GSI's Greg Trame, delaying harvest to reduce grain moisture artificially can lead to "phantom yield loss," where corn loses dry matter in the kernels, potentially leading to lodging and mechanical losses during harvesting. Such delays also increase susceptibility to dropped ears and broken stalks, resulting in reduced yield.
Research conducted by GSI at the Precision Technology Institute (PTI) in Pontiac, Illinois, underscores these findings. Testing corn hybrids at different moisture levels, the study found the best yields at 27% moisture, with a significant drop in yields at lower moisture levels.
The study analyzed the economic aspect, using a GSI on-farm dryer for cost-effective grain drying. Results showed that corn dried from 27% moisture level offered the highest economic returns compared to lower moisture levels, highlighting the financial benefits of early harvesting and on-farm drying.
GSI also introduced an early harvest ROI calculator, enabling farmers to assess potential yield and financial losses from delayed harvesting. This tool, along with insights from ongoing research, supports the strategic decision to harvest corn at higher moisture levels, thus maximizing profitability.
For further details on optimizing corn harvest strategies, visit grainsystems.com and search for the Early Harvest Calculator.
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Categories: National