The same applies to grain bin dryers. The frequency of emptying and filling explains why it's not uncommon to have to clean subfloors every three years.
If you had toxin or mold problems last season, using appropriate products to eliminate bacteria and mold that may be present in your bins could help you prepare for this season. As you know, toxins come from your fields. So if you don't want to have a toxin problem in your bins this year, prevent it by using fungicides on your crops.
When to use these products? When the silks come out on corn, an application of fungicides protects against fusarium head blight, the main cause of vomitoxins. Controlling western bean cutworm, which causes cob wounds, also reduces the entry points for fungi on the cob.
Remember: toxins feed on your corn. So a damaged kernel is a source of problems. So quality always pays off!
- We recommend that you talk to your agronomist to find out which product would be appropriate to control an insect or toxin infestation problem. We would like to thank Alexandre Couture of Agro-Service A. Couture Inc. for his contribution to this article.*
For all our tips, read on our blog. Good housekeeping!