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Harvest 2014

2014 - It seems like a broken record...weather changes have shifted expectations of new crop corn quality. Three weeks ago, somewhat wetter corn than normal but high quality was the forecast. It is clear that the wetter part will come true; early harvest moistures are generally coming in at 18 – 22 percent, which is above average but not high enough to cause severe complications in drying. Field dry down is probably nearly over so do not expect much change in moisture from here on. Overall quality has been put at risk however, in some areas.

Mycotoxins in the Grain Market

Mycotoxins are poisonous trace organic residues of mold deterioration. Mycotoxins are not alive themselves, but instead are very potent compounds causing, at very low dosages (parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb)), a variety of human and animal health problems. Individual mycotoxins are produced by specific mold strains under more restrictive growth conditions than for the molds themselves. Mycotoxins are not automatically produced whenever grain becomes moldy. However, from a risk viewpoint, the likelihood of toxins is greater in damaged kernels than in sound kernels.

Although aflatoxin has received the majority of public attention, advances in chemical detection methods have identified several others that can create problems for grain users. All mycotoxins are present in non-uniformly distributed trace concentrations. Normal bulk sample quality detection methods are hard to use for trace levels. Trace toxics in general will present increasing difficulty for bulk grain handlers. 

Training Modules

Grain modules brought to you by the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative. 

Spring and Summer Updates

Webinar: Ongoing Impacts from the 2019 Harvest and Early 2020 Crop Forecast - June 3rd - 10am CDT 

Make Safety Your First Priority When Emptying Grain Bin                                                                                                                                Flood Adulterated Grain - Nutrient Supply to Crops When Land Applied
Flooding and Stored Grain
Proper Management of Flooded Grain and Hay

Expertise

Bioprocessing

Food Safety

Grain Handling & Storage 

Harvest and Storage

Wet corn and the propane shortage

propane tank painted like an ear of corn
Charles Hurburgh - November 12, 2019

The late planting has caused higher moisture corn than normal...


Cooling Grain Impacts on Grain Quality and Shelf-Life
Charles Hurburgh - October 29, 2019

Recent reports have Iowa corn at about 40% harvested and Iowa soybeans about 66% harvested...


Frost Damage to Soybeans
Charles Hurburgh, Rebecca Vittetoe, Meaghan Anderson - October 17, 2019

Frost damaged soybeans

Temperatures fell into the low 30’s and upper 20’s in most of Iowa over the weekend of October 11-13...


Crop Quality in 2019: Another Unusual Year
Charles Hurburgh, Erin Bowers, Alison Robertson - October 10, 2019

This year continues the chain of growing seasons with extremes and rapid changes beyond our long-term experiences...


Harvest consideration for frost killed corn
Mark Licht, Charles Hurburgh - October 7, 2019

A portion of Iowa’s corn crop is likely to experience a frost before naturally reaching maturity as a result of cool temperatures later this week...


Managing Wet Soybeans in a Late Harvest
Charles Hurburgh & Meaghan Anderson-October 18, 2018


Crop insurance and "high damage", sprouted, or unmarketable soybeans
USDA Risk Management Agency-October 15, 2018


NDSU Offers Soybean Drying Advice
Kenneth Hellevang

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