University of Wisconsin-Extension
Time
is of the essence in salvaging wet feed and grain. Both will
begin to heat and mold very quickly, leading to spoilage as
well as the possibility of spontaneous combustion. As soon
as possible, you should remove dry portions of grain and store
them separately. Dry bales of hay should be removed and restacked
in a dry location, since capillary action will draw water
up into the stack.
Wet
feeds should be presumed harmful to animals until tested.
They may contain contaminants from floodwaters, as well as
mold spores which sometimes produce dangerous toxins.
If part
of a grain bin has been flooded, remove dry grain from the
top using a vacuvator or any other means. Use one of the following
methods for handling wet grain:
- Get
the wet grain to a dryer quickly, if possible. This is the
surest way to save wet grain.
- If
the grain depth can be kept below 6 feet, use a natural-air
bin drying system with a perforated floor and a high-capacity
drying fan. Supplemental heat should only be used during
periods of high humidity. Do not raise the air temperature
more than 10 or 15 degrees F.
- If
a dryer is not available, spread the grain in as dry a place
as possible. Don't pile it any higher than 6 inches. Stir
it daily to prevent overheating and to speed drying. Watch
for and remove molded grains.
- Wet
grain can be ensiled if it is intended for feed and the
moisture content ranges between 25 and 35 percent. If using
a conventional silo, see your county agricultural agent
about treating the grain with proprionic acid to prevent
mold.
Separate
dry corn from wet and store it on high ground. If the ground
is wet, first cover the area with plastic or building paper.
Handle wet ear corn as follows:
- Dry
the corn if facilities and equipment are available. Remove
corn from crib, since mud and debris washed into the crib
may make drying difficult or impossible. Then place the
ear corn over a drying tunnel and force air through the
corn with a fan.
- Shell
the corn if shelling equipment is available.
Flooded
hay should be disposed of or used on fields as a fertilizer.
It is probably unsafe for animals and not worth the time and
expense of drying. Because of hay's tendency to heat and mold
quickly, it should be spread out to aerate as soon as possible
and turned often. Hay bales that are 30 to 40 percent wet
pose the greatest risk of fire. Check hay storage often for
pungent odors, hot damp areas on the stack, emission of water
vapors and other signs of heating. >
- To
check a stack's temperature for fire risk, drive a sharp
pointed pipe into the hay, lower a thermometer inside the
pipe, and leave it there for about 20 minutes. At 150 degrees
F., the hay is approaching the danger zone. At 170 degrees
F., hot spots or fire pockets are possible. Have the fire
department on standby.
If it
is not possible to dry grain artificially, try to find a local
market for it. Usable flood-damaged grain must be sold at
a salvage price, possibly to a large livestock feeder who
can use it before it spoils. Grain should be kept in airtight
storage to prevent spoilage.
Wet seed
grain probably will not be suitable for seed, as wetness causes
the seed to germinate. Subsequent drying would stop germination
and likely kill the seed or reduce its viability. Do not feed
seed grain to livestock, since it may contain toxic additives.
Flooded
silage likewise will be a loss. Its waterlogged state will
hurt feed value, as will any contaminants from the water.
Like hay, it might be spread on fields as a fertilizer.
- Testing.
Do not feed flood-damaged grains until they are tested for
mycotoxins, toxic substances produced by fungi. Ask your
county Extension agent for locations of testing laboratories.
Even if the feed is deemed safe to use, watch animals carefully
for signs of illness.
- Nutritive
value. Mixed feeds, grains and roughages which have heated
or spoiled will have little nutritive value for livestock,
depending on the extent of the damage.
- Safety.
Do not feed heated, molded or sour feeds, or moldy legume
hays (such as alfalfa or clover) to any livestock. Reduced
performance, sickness, abortion or death may occur.
If
you must replace conventional roughage feeds with grain because
of flooding, consider fibrous grains such as oats, barley,
ground ear corn or one of the high-fiber byproducts such as
brewers grains, corn gluten feed or soy hulls.
Continue
to feed hay or straw unless you have had experience with high
grain feeding. You must maintain a minimum amount of forage
in cattle diets. Check with your nutritionist or county agricultural
agent for guidelines. Spread any major changes in a feeding
program over a period of several days. Observe animals carefully
during the transition.
Additional resources:
Consult your veterinarian or county agricultural agent before using flood-damaged feeds.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
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NASD Review: 04/2002
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