| Recent high water has caused much flooding in | | | | from the corn. |
| lowland corn and soybean fields. This has raised many | | | | The expected quality of grain is uncertain and should |
| questions about how to manage these crops. Based | | | | be monitored. The potential for crop contamination by |
| on experiences in a recent pre-harvest flood in | | | | flood waters could affect the marketability of grain |
| Vermont, here's what we would expect when crops | | | | and silage. Check with your county Penn State |
| are subjected to these conditions: -Affected fields will | | | | Cooperative Extension office or the Pennsylvania |
| contain a lot of debris and plants will have a lot of soil | | | | Department of Agriculture for more information on |
| on them. | | | | marketability as it becomes available. |
| -Conditions will be dusty and dirty during harvest. | | | | Monitor for sprouting. Some river bottom fields are |
| -Most farmers in the Vermont flood experienced extra | | | | prone to bird damage and often have some sprouting |
| costs from wear on shear bars, knives and bearings. | | | | risk. The flood may exacerbate the problem. Try to |
| The silage they made from flood damaged fields | | | | adjust the combine to remove most of the sprouted |
| ranged from acceptable to black or rotten and some | | | | grain. |
| farmers reported decreased milk production. | | | | Monitor for molds. Corn from flood-damaged fields |
| If your fields sustained flooding, here are | | | | should be evaluated for grain quality and kept separate |
| recommendations and observations that may help in | | | | if there are indications of molds. Mold and mycotoxin |
| making harvesting and marketing decisions: Corn for | | | | levels can be determined by most feed testing |
| Silage Corn destined for silage would be more at risk | | | | laboratories and used as guidance in marketing. |
| for fungal and bacterial contamination. Take steps to | | | | The risk of molds and sprouting is likely a function of |
| promote good fermentation, such as heavy inoculation | | | | the exposure to the water and stage of growth. In |
| and extra packing of the silos. A good fermentation will | | | | some areas along the Susquehanna River, the corn |
| kill many pathogens in the silage. | | | | was under water for about 36 hours. Corn that was |
| Target the least affected fields for silage and harvest | | | | under water will have an increased risk for molds and |
| above the silt line to avoid soil contamination. | | | | bacterial rotting. This may be more pronounced in corn |
| Avoid chopping corn for silage that has considerable | | | | that was already drying down ( grain moisture) and |
| dirt or silt on it. | | | | then took on moisture during the flood. |
| Segregate any corn chopped for silage so that it can | | | | Monitor for bacterial stalk rots. Fields that remained |
| be evaluated before feeding. | | | | flooded for more than 12 hours are most at risk for |
| Forage should be tested before feeding, paying | | | | stalk rots. |
| particular attention to energy, ash and mycotoxins. | | | | The crop may mature more rapidly under these |
| Silage and high moisture corn from these fields should | | | | conditions, since corn that has been stressed when |
| be evaluated at feedout and animal health should be | | | | near maturity often seems to dry down fast. |
| closely monitored. Soil contamination alone may not be | | | | If the grain is deemed unfit for animal use, then it will be |
| a serious animal health factor, but contamination from | | | | necessary to pursue crop insurance claims. If |
| manure, sewage treatment plants and other chemicals | | | | producers expect a claim, they should consult with an |
| is unknown and could vary from one situation to | | | | adjuster prior to harvest. |
| another. | | | | Other Crops Soybean crops likely will experience |
| Corn for Grain Harvesting for grain is likely a better | | | | increased harvest losses and increased machinery |
| option than for silage where flooding has occurred. | | | | problems during harvest. Many soybeans may be |
| Combine air filters likely will need to be changed more | | | | impossible to harvest due to lodging and debris. Monitor |
| frequently. Operators should take steps to avoid | | | | grain quality prior to harvest. |
| breathing the dust. | | | | Avoid pasturing or harvesting silt laden forage crops if |
| Harvest when the fodder is dry to help limit the dirt in | | | | at all possible. |
| the grain. Monitor the dirt in the corn coming into the bin | | | | In summary, flood-damaged crops are at risk for |
| and avoid the worst sections of fields. | | | | quality and harvest losses, but by monitoring and |
| Harvesting high-moisture corn at the drier range of | | | | managing carefully, we may be able to salvage some |
| acceptable levels could improve the ability to clean dirt | | | | of them. |