When harvest decisions come down to dollars and cents, grain moisture deserves a place in the conversation.
Waiting for corn to dry naturally in the field may reduce drying expenses. But leaving a crop standing longer can introduce other costs, especially when stalk integrity, lodging or changing weather conditions become concerns.
So how do you decide when it’s time to roll?
Consider More Than Drying Costs
Harvesting wetter corn typically means additional drying expenses. Those costs depend on grain moisture, fuel prices, drying equipment and the amount of water that needs to be removed.
But delaying harvest isn’t automatically the less expensive option.
Field losses from lodging, dropped ears or deteriorating stalks can quickly change the economics.
Know Your Field Risks
Walk fields before making harvest-order decisions.
Check stalk strength, root condition, disease pressure and lodging potential. A field with compromised standability may deserve priority even if its grain moisture is higher than you’d prefer.
Conversely, a healthy field with strong stalks and roots may provide more flexibility.
Think Ahead to Hybrid Selection
Harvest moisture isn’t just a fall consideration. It’s also something to evaluate when selecting next year’s hybrids.
Relative maturity, drydown characteristics, stalk integrity and harvest timing all influence how a hybrid fits your operation.
That’s why Latham evaluates more than yield when considering product performance. The goal is to help farmers understand how hybrids fit different acres and management systems.
Look at the Whole Equation
The lowest drying bill doesn’t always produce the best financial outcome.
Compare expected drying expenses with the potential risks of leaving corn in the field. Consider the weather forecast, available equipment and the condition of the crop.
Sometimes harvesting a little wetter is the better decision. The key is knowing what waiting could cost you. Talk with your local Latham representative to learn more.