Harvesting field corn

Harvest is the most expensive field activity in the production of corn for grain. The timing, duration and the way the harvest is carried out have a direct bearing on corn quality, yield and especially grower’s profit.

Field corn is harvested after the plants died and turned a light yellow beige. The ears are hard, dry and dented and usually start to hang down from the sides of the plants.

Ears of field corn are harvested by machine that strips the matured ears from the stalks. If harvested in wet weather corn may have to be dried before it is stored. The tine of harvesting is quite critical and is usually about 18 days after silking.

Usually, it is allowed to dry on the stalk in the field is harvested and stored in small roofed bins or silos with metal or wore mesh walls

Combines in the industrialized world incorporate the ear packing, husking, shelling and cleaning process into one machine. The cobs, husks and stover are left in the field.

Much of the corn storage is done on the farm, since most of the corn crop is used as feed for animals.

Stalks and leaves may be harvested, chopped, and placed in the piles or in silos to form ensilage for animal feed. Stalks and leaves also be chopped and returned to the soil for humus.
Harvesting field corn