Corn Farming Process: Growing, Harvesting and Storing Corn Crops

Corn might be one of the most versatile commodities in existence. It’s the primary feed grain in the United States, making up more than 95% of production and use. More than 90 million acres of U.S. land exclusively grow corn, with much of that farmland situated in the central part of the country. Though many farmers grow corn as livestock feed, it can also make oil, sweetener, starch, alcohol and ethanol.

While there are many varieties of corn, there are two general categories — sweet corn, often eaten as a vegetable, and field corn, meant for feed and other products. While farmers harvest sweet corn young so the kernels are still fresh, field corn’s harvest date doesn’t occur until the kernels have dried.

Learn more about the corn harvesting process with this step-by-step guide to farming corn.

How to Grow Corn

Like many other grains, corn needs a few elements to thrive:

• Sunlight: Grow corn in a sunny spot. It needs full sun, or at least six hours of direct sunlight, daily.
• Soil: Corn thrives when the soil conditions are just right. The soil should be slightly acidic. When the soil is alkaline or too acidic, the plants won’t get the necessary nutrients. The ideal soil also drains well, meaning it doesn’t become too soggy or waterlogged when it rains.
• Water: Speaking of water, corn plants need a specific amount. The plants’ roots can rot if there’s too much water in the soil. When conditions are too dry, the plants will wilt and struggle to produce ears.
• Fertilizer: Fertilizer gives corn plants the nutrients they need to thrive. Use up to three pounds of fertilizer for every 100 square feet you plant.

Before planting corn, focus on preparing the soil in the area. Remove weeds and large stones or other pieces of debris. Working the top 10 inches of soil before planting will make it loose enough to aid germination and help the roots thrive. If you aren’t sure of the soil’s quality, send it out for testing. A soil test will let you know the pH and minerals the soil contains.

Corn does best when planted in several shorter side-by-side rows instead of one long row. Planting in a square pattern helps the corn cross-pollinate. To ensure the corn grows correctly, it’s a good idea to plant one variety in a single area, rather than two or more.

When to Plant Corn

When to plant corn depends on your area and the weather conditions that location experiences. Corn does best in warmer temperatures. Wait to plant the seeds until the soil is 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In much of the U.S., the soil is warm enough in late March or early April.

Another point to consider when choosing when to plant corn is how wet the weather is. March and April tend to be rainy. If conditions are too wet, the seeds can rot or fail to germinate. Too much moisture can also compact the soil, suffocating the plant’s roots.

Often, planting corn later in the season is preferable. Germination rates and yields tend to be highest when corn gets planted between April 20 and May 10. Waiting to plant gives the soil time to sufficiently warm up and allows the moisture levels to even out.

In addition to spring planting, you can plant corn in the fall. Just as you waited for the soil to be at least 50 degrees in spring, wait for its temperature to fall to 50 degrees before planting. Remember that you might not have enough time to get in a fall crop if you plant in an area that gets heavy frosts early in the season.

How to Harvest Corn

Harvesting corn largely depends on the type. You’ll harvest sweet corn to eat at a different point than you would field or grain corn. Be sure to harvest sweet corn when the tips of the silk that come out of the ears begin to turn brown. It’s time to harvest field corn when the kernels are nearly fully dry. Moisture levels should be no more than 25%.

The method you use to harvest corn depends on the size of your field. If you have a large field, a combine can make quick work of the harvesting process. A combine cuts the corn plants down and threshes the kernels off the cobs. The kernels travel to a storage tank while the rest of the plants get deposited back onto the field, where they can fertilize the soil for next year.

In smaller areas, you might want to harvest the corn by hand. Use a sickle or pruners to cut the plants down, then cut the cobs away. If you harvest manually, you’ll also need to thresh by hand.

How to Thresh Corn

Threshing is the process of removing the kernels from the cob. If you’re harvesting a large area of corn and using a combine, the machine will take care of threshing for you. Otherwise, you’ll need to separate the kernels from the cob yourself.

There are a few ways to thresh corn manually. You can push on the kernels one by one, physically removing them from the cob. You can also rub two cobs against each other. The friction between them will help loosen the kernels. A third option is to place the cobs in a sack and beat it until the kernels fall off.

How to Store Corn Crops

Proper storage is essential to extend the life of field corn. Separate and remove any damaged kernels, as they can cause much of the crop to spoil. You also want to protect the kernels to prevent them from splitting or cracking in storage. One option is to use cushioned grain bins to protect the kernels.

Moisture and Temperature

The perfect moisture content and temperature will ensure the corn lasts as long as possible.

Before storing, dry down any corn with a moisture content higher than 22%. The longer you plan to store it, the drier it needs to be. You should dry corn sold as No. 2 grain the following spring down to 15.5%. Corn stored for up to one year should be 14% moisture, and corn stored for longer than a year should be 13%. You can dry grain with specialized equipment or by allowing it to air-dry in a well-ventilated area. However, you also want to avoid over-drying the corn — high temperatures can damage it and cause shrinkage.

Storage Location

The storage location must protect the corn from excessive moisture, temperature extremes and pests. The most common storage locations are silos, bins, other buildings, bags and piles.

• Silos and bins: Grain silos and bins are a good long-term or permanent storage solution. Bins and silos have a large storage volume and make monitoring the grain easier. They require a more substantial initial investment but are more cost-effective over time and are more customizable to your operation.
• Buildings: Storing corn in a building that isn’t for grain storage can damage the grain and the structure. If you have used a barn or other building for grain storage before, inspect it carefully before doing so again to check for misalignment or other damage that may cause the structure to fail.
• Grain bags: While storage bags are an alternative option, bins or silos are generally a better choice. Bags cost less upfront and only require one person to use, but they also need additional equipment and are labor-intensive. Additionally, they store less grain, are more susceptible to damage and don’t allow adequate aeration for moisture and temperature control.
• Piles: Only use grain piles in an emergency, since they are the most susceptible to damage. Placing a plastic sheet down before piling corn and covering the pile can help reduce losses.

Whatever storage method you use, ensure the containers are clean and well-sealed to prevent rodent and insect infestations.

Monitoring

You must monitor your grain to catch issues early before they cause irreversible damage or significant losses.

Inspect your machinery, handling systems, storage spaces and the corn weekly. Check for pest infestations, mold, fungus, excessive moisture and temperature changes. Adequate ventilation helps maintain a consistent temperature and moisture level, preventing spoilage from hot spots and condensation.

Consider using grain level monitoring systems to track your inventory levels. Modern level sensors use a laser and pair with an app for real-time monitoring. You can also use tried-and-true rotary paddle sensors for a more affordable option. Other systems use radar or ultrasonic pulses to measure grain levels. The best choice for your operation depends on your location, storage type and budget.

Our laser sensor accurately measures up to 197 feet away. Protection from water and dust ensures accuracy and reduces maintenance needs. Connect our sensors to the AgriMesh app for inventory reports in real time, wherever you need them. We also offer a solar-powered system that creates its own network, so no Wi-Fi access or external power sources are necessary.

Explore Custom Corn Handling Equipment From LCDM

With a custom grain handling system, you can make sure you have the equipment and storage facility you need to extend the life of your corn crop and get the most from your yields. LCDM can work with you to design the system that’s just right for your corn handling needs. Contact us today to get started.