Stored grain can spoil quickly at warm temperatures.
Corn
Never enter a bin when unloading grain or breaking up a mass of grain.
Some grain may have gone into storage last fall at higher than recommended moisture contents.
However, producers may want to be more aggressive than normal in forward-pricing crops that provide acceptable profit.
The EPA’s plan essentially reduces the floor for domestic corn-ethanol use from 14.4 billion gallons to 13 billion gallons.
Continued competitive pricing of higher blends of ethanol would move a lot of fuel.
Moisture content and maturity can vary greatly across fields.
High levels of nitrates in corn silage can be toxic to animals and humans.
Natural gas is among the biggest issues in renewables because its low cost has disrupted global energy and manufacturing, including biofuels and bioproducts.
At first glance, the projected prices per bushel look good at $5.65 for corn, $12.87 for soybeans and $8.44 for spring wheat.
Price projections are given for the major crop commodities and livestock and livestock products.
Grain stores best when it is cool and dry.
However, producers are worried about whether average yields in 2013 will materialize. Unlike last spring, soil moisture is depleted.
Producers need to check the condition of their corn crop in the field.
Grain yield is quantity in bushels; test weight is an indication of quality.
A single Japanese beetle recently was detected in Grand Forks and several beetles were found in a pheromone trap operated by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture in West Fargo.
Spider mite feeding reduces the photosynthetic area of the leaves and heightens drought stress.
Some forage may be low in nutritional value and high in nitrate.
Nitrate levels are a concern when haying or ensiling corn.
Hog producers could see higher prices for feed for their animals.
Grain storability depends on grain quality, moisture content and temperature.
With few exceptions, all crops show positive returns to labor and management in all regions of North Dakota where the projections were made.
NDSU’s grain drying expert offers advice on drying this year’s corn crop.
The corn’s moisture content likely will vary greatly.
Along with the yield loss, farmers also need to be concerned about the impact on test weight.
Frost has ended the corn growing season for many producers.
Check whether stored grain needs to be dried this spring.
NDSU’s grain drying expert offers advice on storing corn with moisture contents of 16 to 20 percent.
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