corn prices

[eastwoods]

Corn prices are really high and I will plant some for the first time this year. Of course, I'm too cheap to leave any standing, so what is the deterioration rate of corn left on the ground?

I'm guessing inbetween beans and rice, but can you flood it for the opener and still have feed by the end of January if it is relatively cool. I know temperature plays a crucial role in rotting grain under water. I'm just wondering how much water management I will have to do during the season to always have feed available.

[SWAG]

I do not have the exact numbers, but some of the wildlife biologist can tell you. There is a number of "duck days" for each species of plant/seed that gives you an idea. I think there could be some adjustment done to these numbers (as far as what temps they were recorded and such), but overall a good chart to go by. I do know corn is way up the list as far as "duck use days". Millet is high as well. Soybeans are very low, milo in the middle.

[duckter]

Percent Deterioration After 90 Days (based on being submerged for 90 days) -

Soybeans 86%
Pearl Millet 73%
Japanese Millet 57%
Corn 50%
Grain Sorghum 42%
Browntop Millet 25%
Smartweed 21%
Domestic Rice 19%

Source: Waterfowl Habitat Management Handbook (1993)

[HDC]

Where do you get a waterfowl management habitat handbook? I would love to have one.

[SWAG]

That is a very good chart. I would like to see those test run at different water temps as well as some other factors thrown in. The "duck use days" is found by using those rates and what amount is actually in the field...ie a field that has 150 lbs of waste grain per acre vs. a field that has only 20 lbs of waste grain per acre. SB should be able to give us some data.

[duckter]

I believe I got my copy from either the NRCS or FSA office in Marks about two years ago. It is about 20 pages and is a very interesting read with some great info. It was published by MSU Cooperative Extension Service

[tupe]

You can download it here:

http://www.fort.usgs.gov/Products/Publications/10000/

tupe

[eastwoods]

Has anybody ever flooded a cut corn field for the opener and still had feed for ducks by the close of duck season?

Wondering if I should flood half the field at the beginning and then flood the other half mid way.

[Wildfowler]

https://www.fort.usgs.gov/sites/default ... /10000.pdf



Found it and updated the link

[Plainsman04]

Has anybody ever flooded a cut corn field for the opener and still had feed for ducks by the close of duck season?

Wondering if I should flood half the field at the beginning and then flood the other half mid way.

If you can flood it in stages I'd do that. Birds always seem to love new water, especially if you can provide it when nobody else can. At least that's how I look at it.

[Wingman]

If you cut it in August there's not gonna be much left come the start of duck season.

[JaMak84]

"High corn prices" shoulda been the first indicator that somebody was digging up bones

[Wingman]

Lol. I saw that and thought the market must've changed in the last couple weeks. Never looked at the date.