As of late last week, early-to-mid season soybeans had been cut, wheat sown and corn silage wrapped up. In most areas of west central Ohio, predicted rainfall did not materialize and fieldwork was delayed little. Weather forecasts were generally favorable, so soybean harvest continued as fuller season variety soybeans were combined as they became fit. The few corn fields that had been shelled appeared to have standability problems prior to harvest.
 Weekend winds and seasonable temperatures enhanced corn dry down. Consequently, some farmers moderated their corn harvest progress, counting on Mother Nature to save on propane costs.

The summertime temperatures enjoyed a few days last week likely dropped corn moisture up to 1 percent per day. Normally, according to Ohio State University Extension Corn Specialist Peter Thomison, we should only expect a daily dry down rate in October of about one half of a percentage point. Of course temperature, wind, humidity and the dry down capability of any particular hybrid impact the process. Farmers, who regularly gamble on nature’s temperament, want to take advantage of the free moisture reduction process as much as possible. Last fall’s dryness is still fresh in everyone’s memory. Note however that long term statistics show that field dry down rates shrink to a quarter percent per day by November. Also, remember the trials and tribulations brought on by the remnants of Hurricane Ike on Sept. 14, 2008. Wind flattened corn fields resulted in the purchase of numerous corn head attachments designed to help rake stalks into the snapping roll area.  The harvest process slowed significantly.

Each farmer’s corn acreage, combine capacity and grain handling facility is different so plans need to be customized for individual operations. Artificially, heated air is generally needed to dry corn above 22 percent moisture. Consider natural drying when corn field dries to 22 percent and below. Depending on air flow, outside temperatures and humidity, natural air in-bin grain dry down usually compares favorably to gas heated dry down. Continual air flow and clean grain are essential, mechanical in-bin aeration is preferred to enhance either process.
 

Harvest safety can never be emphasized enough. Following are safety tips that can have deadly implications if not heeded. Accompanying each piece of advice is a local related comment.

Shut down a machine before working on it. We lost an area farmer in a corn head once who did not. Know where helpers are located when moving machinery. An out of sight local spouse was run over by a piece of farm equipment once when hooking up a trailing wagon.

When working under a machine, do not trust the system hydraulics to protect you, use provided safety props or stable blocks. A farmer I knew was crushed under a combine head that was not properly locked up.

Never, ever step over a rotating PTO. A tall area farmer once told me that the spinning shield on the PTO protects him, saving him a few steps around the tractor every time he unloads. That particular farmer still has all of his body parts; a farmer not too far away is in a wheel chair.  

Actually, that was a short list of safety tips. Think of several ways to improve safety on your farm!

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.