Storing corn in gravity boxes?

rockyridgefarm · Nov 8, 2020

Any advice for storing ear corn in gravity boxes? I got five boxes with about 150 bu in each. Picked under 20%. Will they keep thru spring?

DeltaSteve · Nov 8, 2020

Should,as long as it is kept dry in a barn.Cld temps will help. It may settle and bridge and be difficult to get out. However,the 'magic number' for shell corn is
15.5 % ,so your milage may vary,especially in a humid climate.However,If I am wrong,Im sure someone will set me straight. LOL.

David G · Nov 8, 2020

I will keep fine if you freeze it soon and keep it frozen until ready to use.

4520BW · Nov 8, 2020

Your right Steve, it will keep fine as long as its cool and dry. I see alot of shucks and that's not good.

jal-SD · Nov 8, 2020

Ear corn usually needs air currents to
move through it to prevent rot. That's
why corn cribs have slotted sides. Will
your gravity boxes allow air currents to
move through the ear corn?

Janicholson · Nov 8, 2020

I agree with Deta/steve/red, in SW Wisconsin where you are there will be variable humidity all winter. I might put a box fan facing down on a flattened area on each one
(cheap tool) and run them on low speed when the humidity is low, and temps are above freezing. (I live here as well, but a bit north west) Jim

fastfarmall · Nov 8, 2020

If you could of gotten a 4 in screw in airator in there, i would sleep better, those little things with a 110 motor on the top, do a lot of good !!!!

rockyridgefarm · Nov 8, 2020

Thanks for the replies. I thought ventilation was more important if the corn was over 20%. I do have several of those air tubes. I will see if I can put one or two in each box

Bill(Wis) · Nov 8, 2020

It does not bode well. The solid sides of the boxes will prevent air movement. Husks are your enemy. Back in the days when we used
a cornpicker we sat on the wagons and removed husks by hand and then used ventilated corn cribs. The fan idea is good if you can
make sure they're used in low humidity conditions. I don't know what other options you may have. Does anyone have a corn crib you
could rent? Or a large barn floor?

ss55 · Nov 8, 2020

Unless you plan to feed it all before the weather warms up next spring, you will have some drying costs. Can you build a temporary corn crib to utilize natural air drying?

rockyridgefarm · Nov 8, 2020

The pic was taken a month ago when I was doing 30% for a guy who was grinding and bagging it. This dryer stuff is husked a lot better

Roger Tomfohrde · Nov 8, 2020

Can always make a crib from snow fencing but make sure it is gone Around Feb - march when it warms up. We did with overflow.

rustred · Nov 8, 2020

i would hook up the fan to the bottom so the warm air comes out the top. same as grain bin airation.

fastfarmall · Nov 8, 2020

Hog's will eat it when it's a little moldy, but a Dairy cow, she is so smart she wont like it,Moisture always goes to the top,i would do some thing, can u unload one box on the ground, and then get some flexable drain tile, stick in the wagon, while you transfer it, the moisture will migrate up i a sure you!

gene bender · Nov 8, 2020

The answer to that is no unless you want some mold in the center and bottom ear corn needs air movement and
there will not be enough in the center and you will have damage and spoil most of the load gravity boxes are
steel and the moisture will gather on the walls and spread thru the whole load and you will have mold guranteed
i have been around too many yrs so thats why i am telling you expect mold.

gene bender · Nov 8, 2020

Dave the outside will change with the temps but the center will not and the moisture will gather on the steel and the whole load will get moldy thats why ear corn was always stored in cribs with no solid walls let alone steel

paul · Nov 8, 2020

I’ve had tough luck with ear corn over 17–18% in a gravity box here in MN.

In a corncrib with airflow, goes well at 27% and have gone 30% with ok results.

Paul

rockyridgefarm · Nov 8, 2020

Well, shoot. I guess I will need to come up with a better idea.

tomNE · Nov 8, 2020

the old timers use to husk an ear and put it in the horse tank. i think if it floated it was dry enuff to pick in the ear!

tomNE · Nov 8, 2020

I double checked. floating ears said it could be picked and put into a crib, with airflow and cold weather!

Doug Wi · Nov 8, 2020

I routinely store cob corn in boxes. Got 8 tucked away now. Last couple of years it has been at 20% or abit more. Usually get 2 to 3 grinds out of each box depending on the size of the box.. I find if I take one grind out of each box it creates enough disturbance that the moisture is no problem. A bit of monkey business to do that but it's a lot easier than shoveling the corn out of the crib. Don't have to start that ontil the weather starts to warm in the spring One year I didn't do that with 20% corn and opened the last box about mid june. had just a few moldy ears in the middle, but you get that in a crib too. I'm in nw wi

sammydwm · Nov 9, 2020

It will probably be fine as long as you keep it under a decent roof. Had a couple of boxes that I kept around over a year and it made nice feed when I finally got around to getting it ground.

INCase · Nov 9, 2020

might be tough if they are already loaded. maybe try putting a bit of heavy wire fence in the bottom over the door and crack the door open to let air in the bottom and as others have mentioned having a fan blow on/thru the load will help. just a little air movement can help.

I've see people do it but no idea how dry they started with or how they ended up.

Storing corn in gravity boxes?

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