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DEKALB, 111 - Whether they
produce for cash or for feeding,
corn and gram sorghum growers
have a major stake in the safe
storage of-their harvested crop.
Even the best
of harvesting conditions produces
gram with some degree of damage
that can hasten 'eventual
deterioration of the stored product.
When growing and harvesting
conditions are less than ideal,
grain damage and potential joss
increases. Drought in some
southern areas in both 1980 J and
1981 made corn grain vulnerable to
the fungus that produces aflatoxm
under certain conditions. Growers
found it necessary to harvest as
early as possible and dry the grain
promptly to avoid serious loss in
gram value and usefulness. While
gram of some com hybrids may be
slightly less prone to develop
aflatoxin problems, weather and
crop management, including in
sect control, are major factors
determining its development.
Some growing areas ex
perienced considerable stalk rot
development m 1981. Stalk rot is
induced by plant stress during the
growing season, by outbreaks of
leaf diseases,-and by plant damage
from msects, machinery, or had.
Growers who became aware of the
stalk rot potential were en
couraged to harvest their crop
early to reduce field losses.
Wet, less mature gram is more
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Damaged grain cuts profits
subject to combine damage than
drier grain. Also, higher moisture
grain may make it necessary to
dry at high temperatures in order
to maintain dryer capacity. High
temperatures drying causes corn
kernels to crack and become more
subject jo breaking when moved.
Although research workers are
able to measure slight hybrid
differences in tendency for kernels
to crack and break, the main
differences are due to grain
moisture and the setting and
operation of harvesting and
handling equipment.
Ohio State research shows that,
with conventional cylinder com
bines operated at recommended
speed, total damage to corn ker
nels is lowest at about 24 percent
harvest moisture:
% Moisture
at Harvest % Damage
37 45
30 31
26 23
24 19
20 20
13 22
Another factor affecting quality
of grain going into storage is insect
and bird damage that occurs prior
to harvest. Some areas ex
perienced unusual numbers of
borers, earworms and armyworms
in the summer of 1981. Not only do
these pests devour a portion of the
crop, their feeding activity sets up
2400 Dairy Road
Lancaster, Pa. 17601
717-898-0129
ideal conditions for kernel molds
and rots to get started. At harvest,
part of the light-weight, moldy and
half-eaten kernels are removed but
many remain in the gram to create
potential storage problems.
Corn hybrids with tight husks
that completely cover the ear tip
offer some protection against
insect and bird damage. This, in
turn, reduces initial infection by
rotting organisms. On'the other
hand, these same protective husks
tend to reduce moisture loss so
there’s some trade-off between
field drying rate and protection
from birds, insects and mold.
Grain of some hybrids is reported
to the more resistant to kernel
molds than grain of other hybrids.
Part of the com and sorghum
grain going into storage this fall is
in less than perfect shape for
storage. Each bin of stored grain
represents a sizable investment;
no one can afford the loss
associated with out-of-condition
grain.
Carefully monitor gram in every
bin for moisture, msect or mold
activity (heating) and other
evidence of deterioration. Be extra
careful to follow a good aeration
schedule and be prepared to move
gram if necessary to maintain
quality and value. Watch those
MANUFACTURING CORP.
ATTENTION DAIRYMEN:
. AUGER SYSTEMS FOR
EMPTYING MANURE
M a HOLDING PITS
K Vmait’e Etoi’orWeni Elevtl&f
W Site* an* C«r Torn
VENTILATION
SYSTEMS
PORTABLE
ELEVATORS
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 7,1981—C9
heat sensors and thermometers
bke a hawk.
One tool that deserves special
mention is the moisture meter.
Recent surveys indicate that many
of these instruments are not well
calibrated leading to serious
over or under estimates of actual
moisture content. Couple this with
improper sampling and failure to
follow operation instructions and
PDA recognizes Martins
Potato Chips promotion
HARRISBURG A certificate
of recognition from the Penn
sylvania Department of
Agriculture was presented to
Martins Potato Chips of
Thomasville for its efforts in
promoting Pennsylvania farm
products.
Deputy State Agriculture
Secretary E. Chester Heim made
the presentation Thursday to the
firm’s owner, Ken Potter, during
ceremonies at the Third Street
Market in Harrisburg.
Heim said the York County firm
will continue to produce the same
top quality Pennsylvania potato
chips as it has done for many years
but win now nsp the state’s
HOLLANDER RD, RD3
NEW HOLLAND, PA
17557
717-354-9611
you have the makings of big
storage problems or excessive
costs due to overdrying
Every moisture meter should be
checked against a drying oven or
an instrument that is known to give
results comparable to a drying
oven. Also, the manufacturer may
have revised conversion charts
available
“We’re Growing Better” logo to
promote their products.
The deputy secretary noted that
the value of sales of Pennsylvania
potato chips totals more than $220
million each year. Pennsylvania
ranks first in the nation in the
production of potato chips.
“By promoting Pennsylvania
farm products,” Heim said,
“Martins Potato Chips joins may
companies across the state in
Governor Dick Thornburgh’s
campaign to stimulate economic
growth, increase sales of state
agricultural products and to im
prove the freshness of goods
consumers purchase.
PACA
speeds
change
process
WASHINGTON, D.C.
A change is being
made to speed up
hearings under the
Perishable Agricultural
Commodities. Act for
cases involving
“responsibly con
nected” individuals who
have been associated
with produce firms.
According to Jack
Gardner, who heads the
program for the U.S.
Department of
Agriculture’s Agricult
ural Marketing Service,
the revised rule will
allow the agency ad
ministrator to designate
any person to serve as
presiding officer over
the hearings.
Previously, only certain
officials—who were
sometimes unavailab
le—had to be appointed,
and this often delayed
the hearings, Gardner
said.
Under the Perishable
Agricultural Com
modities Act, respon
sibly connected persons
may not be re-hcensed
under the act or em
ployed by other licen
sees when the firms
they are connected with
fail to satisfy PACA
reparation awards or
when the firms lose
their licenses for cause.
The act requires firms
that buy or sell fruits
and vegetables in in
terstate commerce to be
licensed by USDA.
USDA can suspend or
revoke licenses of firms
that fail to meet
requirements for
prompt payment of
produce or that
otherwise violate the
act.
The rule change were