High Moisture in Corn Harvest Increases Drying Costs

September 11, 2026 · TarımTR

As grain corn harvesting continues across Turkey, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has warned producers to harvest according to moisture content to reduce drying expenses and prevent grain loss.

Harvest Season and Grain Moisture

The intensive harvesting efforts for grain corn producers are continuing at full speed across Turkey. It is emphasized that the most decisive factor in harvest timing for producers entering the fields is grain moisture. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the moisture level of the product at the time of removal from the field directly affects producer income. Harvesting at the wrong time increases drying costs and creates conditions for grain breakage. Therefore, the harvest calendar needs to be managed not just by calendar days, but according to scientific criteria.

Regional Harvest Calendar and Yield

Grain corn harvesting across the country is progressing gradually, depending on climate and planting dates. According to data from the Osmaniye Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, approximately 400,000 tons of yield are expected from 349,000 decares of cultivated land, with the harvest process starting on August 18. In Kahramanmaraş, the first product harvest was realized in the field as of September 7. This variable timing in different regions necessitates that each producer analyzes their own field conditions before commencing harvest.

Ideal Moisture Ratio for Mechanical Harvesting

According to technical documents from the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the most suitable range for mechanical harvesting is stated as 20-25% grain moisture. This determined ratio allows the product to be collected by the combine harvester with minimal loss. It is recommended that producers take samples representing the general maturity of the field to determine moisture content. Precise moisture measurement, rather than relying on the calendar date, stands out as the primary factor that directly increases harvest efficiency.

Black Layer and Physiological Maturity

The most concrete field indicator of the corn plant reaching full maturity is the black layer on the cob. The appearance of this layer on at least three out of four randomly selected kernels from the middle section of the cob signifies physiological maturity. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, grain moisture at this stage ranges between 30-35%. However, since physiological maturity and suitability for mechanical harvesting do not represent the same stage, a decrease in moisture is expected.

Drying Costs Incurred by High Moisture

Harvesting corn with a moisture content above 25% leads to significant energy consumption in drying facilities. The fees paid to drying facilities and transportation costs rapidly erode the net profit margin that the producer will obtain. According to technical data shared by the Ministry, it is stipulated that moisture must be reduced to safe thresholds for the product to become marketable. Producers need to make harvest decisions by considering drying costs in addition to tonnage calculations.

Risks of Waiting Too Long in the Field

Delaying the harvest more than necessary to avoid drying costs can lead to significant product losses in the field. Over-dried cobs easily break with the impact of the combine harvester, causing kernels to fall and reducing quality. Furthermore, autumn rains, lodging problems caused by wind, and pest pressure directly threaten the product waiting in the field. For this reason, it is advised that producers maintain the ideal harvest balance rather than aiming for excessively low moisture.

Combine Harvester Settings and Grain Losses

One of the most neglected aspects during the harvest process is the spilled kernels left behind by combine harvesters in the field. Combine harvesters not calibrated according to the moisture content of the field can leave a significant amount of crop in the field or increase the breakage rate. Experts stipulate regular checks of the area behind the machine entering the field. Reconfiguring the machine settings when moving to plots with different moisture levels prevents grain loss.

Critical Thresholds for Safe Storage

The storage duration of harvested corn is the most critical parameter determining the target final moisture content. According to technical guidelines from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, moisture must be reduced to 15% for storage periods shorter than 6 months. If long-term storage is planned, grain moisture must be reduced to 13-14%. High moisture and temperature conditions can trigger the formation of mold and harmful mycotoxins in storage, completely destroying the market value of the product.

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