The favorable weather this fall advanced crop maturity to the point that harvest is nearly complete on many farms. Corn and soybeans are the principal crops being harvested.

Corn and soybean yields from well-drained lands are producing above average, with some yields for corn as high as 165 bushels per acre in the Slippery Rock area.

The warm, dry weather was a big plus for producers drying grain. Warm, dry air reduces propane and natural gas expenses, which this year, of course, is higher than previous years. Nationwide yields are above average also and with the recent favorable weather most of the Corn Belt is nearing completion of harvest. Reports are that even dry land corn from western Nebraska is yielding near 200 bushels per acre.

Since good weather provided for a fast paced harvest and no rain days to catch up, most Midwest elevators have huge piles of corn on the ground. When harvest happens this fast, grain storage shortages are highlighted even more so than normal. The yields from the Midwest were so good that prices are now at the lowest level in years.

This then means deficiency payments are now available. Grain producers with questions on how to apply for deficiency payments should contact the office. The most important rule to remember is that title to the grain must be retained in order to be eligible for deficiency payments.

The LDP rates for November 18 were 36 cents per bushel for corn and barley is 31 cents per bushel. Call either 724-482-4800, Ext. 2, or 724-775-2369, Ext. 2, for more information.

Farmers are now harvesting corn and soybeans for storage over winter. Listed below are some points to remember to help prepare grain for winter storage and to maintain grain quality.Make sure there is good water drainage away from the bin. Leaks at bottom or through fan opening will cause grain damage.Clean empty bin of all old grain and fines; clean up around outside of bin, remove spilled grain, debris, and control growth of vegetation around outside of bin. Spray inside wall, floor, and outside around base of bin, wall entry door and unloading auger. Combine or sheller should have been cleaned and sprayed at end of season and again at beginning of season. Contact your local chemical dealer for an approved product for spraying harvesting equipment, bins, and directly on grain.Use grain cleaner or fan to take trash and fines out of new grain going into bin — squirrel case furnace fan is excellent at auger entrance (proper setting of combine can eliminate most of trash and damaged grain). Run aeration fan in bin when filling. Broken grain and fines increases cost of drying and make ideal conditions for insects, spoilage, and restriction of airflow.Replace worn out grain augers (150,000 to 200,000 bushels). Worn augers damage grain.Use grain spreader in bin to keep grain level (electric model for wet grain, gravity type for dry grain).Dry grain to safe moisture level. Corn and oats — 13 percent for storage for 9 months or more; wheat and soybeans — 11 to 12 percent (high protein grain has to be drier).If farmer has a stirral bin, when drying is completed remove 200 or 300 bushels of grain run it back through the auger into the bin but run falling grain past a fan or through a cleaner to take out fines and debris. With stirral system, fines and debris accumulate in center of bin.Level grain in bin — do not cover up opening between bottom of roof and bin wall. If grain must be peaked in roof, draw out 100 to 150 bushels after filling or make a dimple in the center of the peak. This will stop chimney effect of air circulation in bin.Cool grain down to 35 to 40 degrees for storage over winter (insects are inactive at these temperatures). In March or April, when outside air temperature reaches 40 to 60 degrees, run aeration fans to warm up grain to equal outside temperature. A thermometer placed on top of grain if moving air up through grain or at fan exit if moving air down through grain will show when grain temperature reaches desired level.Watch batch dryers. Each batch could be dried to different moisture contents. High moisture, high-capacity dryers sometimes dry the outer area of corn but not the center. Moisture in the center migrates out after the grain is in the bin. High temperature drying often causes stress cracks in corn. Corn then breaks up when being moved. Some buyers will not accept corn with stress cracks. Also, be aware that temperature adjustment must be made on moisture test. Fan on grain cleaner at exit of batch dryer is an added plus. Contact your chemical dealer for an ideal time to apply approved material to grain being transferred to storage bin.Cover fan and unloading auger opening at the bottom of the bin to stop air circulation in stored grain after grain is cooled for storage.Airway tubes on walls are a plus when drying in bin. Airway tubes are a must if drying bin wall panels are sealed on horizontal edges. This eliminates wet corn or walls and future moldy corn.About May 1, treat top of grain with insecticide. Vapona strips suspended above grain controls Indian Meal Moth coming in to lay eggs. It is cheaper to prevent a problem then to pay for correcting one.Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.