Corn Drying Costs Versus Yield Loss

Sixty cents per bushel drying! At $2.60 per bushel corn, that leaves only $2.00 per bushel after drying. These low corn prices and high drying costs are causing many growers to scratch their head in search of some profit. Some growers are considering leaving the crop in the field to dry. This causes many consultants to shudder! How much yield will be sacrificed by leaving the crop in the field to dry and can it be justified?

Using a corn price of $2.80 per bushel and commercial elevator drying costs, we can calculate the maximum allowable yield loss associated with delaying harvest in order to achieve additional in-field drying. Breakeven final corn yields at various field dried moisture levels for two example fields are outlined in Table 1. This shows you can accept up to an average of 1.5 - 2.0 bushel per acre yield loss for every point that moisture is reduced!

Now, consider the situation where you decide to bite the bullet and wait well beyond this fall, until the corn is 15.5% moisture. The harvest losses that you can withstand are listed in Table 2.

Field Drying Considerations

1. Is my corn standing well and is stalk strength good? Stalk strength should be evaluated using push-tests, pinching the stalks or cutting stalks open.
2. Is my corn ear mould free?
3. Am I unwilling to sell the corn this fall, have no storage of my own, and would need to pay storage costs as well? This will increase the amount of loss you can tolerate.
4. Is the field free of surrounding woods which might make it susceptible to severe deer damage?
5. Have I considered how I will manage volunteer corn in next year's crop?

Answering yes to these questions may put you in a position to consider leaving some of your crop out for additional drying. Remember, in farming there are no mistakes, just research plots! Contact the CropLine (1-888-449-0937) if you would like to set up a "research plot".

Crop Insurance Implications

Be aware of the crop insurance implications of leaving corn to field dry. AGRICORP corn crop insurance contracts are based on harvest being completed when the crop is mature in a normal time frame, typically October and November. AGRICORP must be informed by December 15^th of yield or status of the crop to avoid late reporting penalties. Insurance coverage ends at the completion of a normal harvest period. In the event that the crop is immature and cannot be harvested due to an insured peril, AGRICORP will work with affected producers in order to assess damage and reasonably deal with the crop.

AGRICORP will not reimburse producers for yield losses on a mature crop not harvested and left in the field to dry. If you are considering leaving corn in the field you need to call the Customer Action Centre (1-888-247-4999) to have an adjuster contact you.