Insight: moisture, the first number to check in feed corn
Why professionals check moisture before anything else when they buy maize for feed, and what it means for quality.
The first number a professional looks at before buying maize for animal feed is moisture. Moisture is the single biggest factor in the quality and value of feed corn, especially in the middle of the rainy season, when poorly handled grain is at high risk of mould.
Why moisture matters
When grain holds too much water, enzymes in the kernel stay active and microorganisms find a place to grow. Together they break down nutrients, the grain heats up in storage, and in the worst case it spoils.
What good practice looks like
- Dry it properly. Grain is dried until free water in the kernel falls to a level where moulds cannot grow. For maize this is generally around 14 percent moisture for safe storage.
- Measure, do not guess. A moisture meter at receiving is quicker and fairer than judging by hand.
- Store it dry and aired. Clean, well ventilated storage, off the floor, keeps dried grain from taking up water again.
For organic feed this matters even more, because organic rules strictly limit the additives and preservatives that conventional feed can rely on.
First published on the Pongpetch Facebook page.