Owner`s manual

Salvaging Stored Wet Feed and Grain
DRYING, MARKETING AND SAFE FEEDING
Time is of the essence in
salvaging wet feed and grain.
Both will begin to heat and mold
very quickly, leading to spoilage
as well as the possibility of
spontaneous combustion. As
soon as possible, you should
remove dry portions of grain and
store them separately. Dry bales
of hay should be removed and
restacked in a dry location, since
capillary action will draw water
up into the stack.
Wet feeds should be presumed
harmful to animals until tested.
They may contain contaminants
from floodwaters, as well as
mold spores which sometimes
produce dangerous toxins.
USE DRYER IF POSSIBLE
If part of a grain bin has been flooded, remove dry grain from the top
using a vacuvator or any other means. Use one of the following methods
for handling wet grain:
♦ Get the wet grain to a dryer quickly, if possible. This is the surest
way to save wet grain.
♦ If the grain depth can be kept below 6 feet, use a natural-air bin
drying system with a perforated floor and a high-capacity drying fan.
Sup-plemental heat should only be used during periods of high
humidity. Do not raise the air temperature more than 10 or 15 degrees
F.
♦ If a dryer is not available, spread the grain in as dry a place as
possible. Don't pile it any higher than 6 inches. Stir it daily to prevent
overheating and to speed drying. Watch for and remove molded
grains.
♦ Wet grain can be ensiled if it is intended for feed and the moisture
content ranges between 25 and 35 percent. If using a conventional
silo, see your county agricultural agent about treating the grain with
proprionic acid to prevent mold.
DRY AND SHELL WET EAR CORN
Separate dry corn from wet and store it on high ground. If the ground is
wet, first cover the area with plastic or building paper. Handle wet ear corn
as follows:
♦ Dry the corn if facilities and equipment are available. Remove corn
from crib, since mud and debris washed into the crib may make
drying difficult or impossible. Then place the ear corn over a drying
tunnel and force air through the corn with a fan.
♦ Shell the corn if shelling equipment is available.
GUARD AGAINST HAY FIRES
Flooded hay should be disposed of or used on fields as a fertilizer. It is
probably unsafe for animals and not worth the time and expense of drying.
Because of hay's tendency to heat and mold quickly, it should be spread
out to aerate as soon as possible and turned often. Hay bales that are 30 to
40 percent wet pose the greatest risk of fire. Check hay storage often for
pungent odors, hot damp areas on the stack, emission of water vapors and
other signs of heating.
University of Wisconsin-Extension • Cooperative Extension FLOOD-FARM RECOVERY
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