Before farmers go full throttle into the 2012 planting season, they would be wise to inspect what's left of their 2011 corn crop for signs of mold.
Corn stored in bins since the fall harvest could be at a heightened threat for mold, says Richard Stroshine, a Purdue University agricultural engineer. The reason? A winter that wasn't cold enough for long enough to protect the grain from fungal infection.
Moldy corn can contain toxins harmful - even fatal - to livestock. Elevators and other buyers of corn also pay less for mold-contaminated grain, if they buy it at all.
"Farmers should constantly be checking their grain for mold growth," Stroshine said. "If they find mold, they've got to get that corn out of the bin as soon as possible so that it doesn't spread to other grain in the bin."
A typical winter with air temperatures regularly near or below freezing allows corn to be cooled to temperatures near freezing, inhibiting mold development. That is particularly important when corn is stored at or above 15 percent moisture. In Indiana, this past winter saw many days above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, creating conditions more favorable for mold growth.
When mold risks are high, farmers should take steps to evenly cool the grain in the bin. A common practice, known as coring, involves taking one or more truckloads of corn from the bin and leveling the crop that remains. The process removes fine material that often accumulates in the center - or core - of the bin, filling air pockets between kernels and restricting air circulation.
To ensure even airflow distribution, farmers should maintain a level surface at the top of the bin. Without sufficient and uniform air movement in the bin, heat can build up in some areas and promote mold growth.
Farmers who cored their bins reduced the likelihood of mold problems this spring but still should keep an eye on their leftover crop, Stroshine said. Those who didn't perform coring operations will need to be even more vigilant, he said.
Bins should be visually inspected and grain temperatures monitored weekly, Stroshine said. He recommended running bin fans for 30 minutes before entering the storage facility to conduct an inspection.
"Aeration will push musty odors, which are indicative of mold growth, to the headspace of the bin," he said. "If the problems are deeper in the bin it will take longer for odors to reach the surface. So you could run the fans another 2-4 hours and check again.
"While you're in the bin, look for signs of condensation on the inside of the bin's roof. That's an indication you've had moisture generated by mold activity. Also, look for crusting on the grain's surface, which is symptomatic of mold growth."
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