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Managing Stored Drought-Stressed Corn In Early Spring

If you had any amount of confirmed mycotoxins in your grain at harvest, it is safer to avoid storing the affected grain.

Ambient temperatures will be getting warmer and soon will be above 40°F, which is about the temperature where fungal (mold) spores begin to grow again in the spring. If the fungal organism is one that produces mycotoxins, the level of mycotoxins in the grain can increase, which will likely result in greater dock when the grain is sold.

The worst case would be if the grain were refused by the grain dealer or not approved for feeding to certain species or sizes of livestock.


Disinfecting Empty Bins and Harvest Equipment

It is important to thoroughly clean out bins once they are empty, including all grain and grain dust that could still contain molds and insects. When moldy grain has been removed from the bin, use a spray disinfectant on all interior surfaces to kill mold spores. A solution of 1 gallon of 5.25% household laundry bleach and 20 gallons of water should work well. Several days after applying the bleach, rinse it off so as not to corrode galvanized metal.

Source: Cropwatch.unl.edu


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The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.