Two-thousand-nineteen seemed “crummy,” among other things. If we are not careful, last year’s nightmares will come back to haunt us.
Numerous factors impacted grain quality this past year. Dannis Wharf, regional sales manager with Central Life Sciences, says additional challenges may arise, if farmers are not cautious.
?A lot of corn came in (with) a high moisture content due to late season planting and late harvest. More drying was done, so you have more damage. When you have poor quality corn in the bin, you?re (grain is) more susceptible to insect infestation and damage,” Warf said.
Producers must consider ways to protect grain. Warf offers a couple suggestions, one which proves useful.
?There?s fumigation, but that?s costly and risky for a lot of people. Grain protectants can be applied by anybody, without a special, restricted use license. They can be bought anywhere you buy your Ag chemicals, generally. They can be applied in a liquid formulation on the grain as you?re moving it from one bin to another to control an active infestation or prevent future infestations,” Warf said.
Grain should ?start clean and end clean,? shares Warf. Producers can ensure cleanliness by applying grain protectants before storing crops.
?We have Diacon IGR PLUS. It has two chemistries: An adulticide that kills adult insects and larvae, and an insect growth regulator that, in short, (acts as a) birth control for bugs,” Warf said. “If an egg hatches and the larvae crawls across it, it pupates, then dies. You have no new insects being born in that bin.?
Grain protectants offer long-lasting residual, ranging from seven months to two years. They ?help you protect grain quality, all while giving you the best dollar for that grain at market,” according to Warf.
For additional information, visit www.bugfreegrains.com.
