TRADITIONAL DRYING OF CORN (SUN DRYING)

Types of Drying Description

used in small to medium-scale
Mat Drying drying where threshed grain
are placed on mats, nets, or
canvas

often used in large-scale

drying for grain collectors and
Pavement Drying millers, where grains are laid
on pavements specifically
made for drying

Shelling
1. Before shelling, dry the corn ears to at least 21% moisture content (MC). This is the
optimum MC that will bring about less damage to corn kernels during shelling.
2. Use clean, dry and properly calibrated mechanical sheller for efficient shelling.
3. Use clean and dry containers of the shelled corn.

Drying
1. Immediate drying of the corn grains to reduce the MC after harvest should be done by
any available means, to minimize if not avoid grain deterioration, mold and fungi attack
and pest infestation.
2. If immediate drying is not possible, temporarily store the corn ears in cribs or any
structure with good ventilation.
3. As much as possible, immediately dry the shelled corn to 13 to 14 % MC. Ensure that
corn has been dried uniformly to this MC. (Check the steps below)
4. Use clean suitable containers for the dried corn grains.

Steps and Limitations in Sun Drying

1. Spread the grains in thin layers, ideally 2−4 cm but less than 5 cm.
2. Mix grain frequently (at least every 30 minutes).
3. Monitor grain temperature and MC using thermometers and moisture meters.
4. Shade or cover the grain when grain temperatures are above 42ºC for seeds
5. To prevent cracking, collect or cover the grain during rain and at night.
6. Keep animals off the grain.
7. Avoid drying grain on public roads as the grain gets dirty, traffic is hindered, and it
can cause accidents.
8. Not possible during rain or at night. Delays in drying lead to excessive respiration
and fungal growth causing grain losses and yellowing.
9. Labor intensive and has limited capacity.
10. Temperature control is difficult. Overheating of grains can result in low milling
quality caused by cracked grains.
and fungal growth causing grain losses and yellowing.
9. Labor intensive and has limited capacity.
10. Temperature control is difficult. Overheating of grains can result in low milling
quality caused by cracked grains.

SOURCE Traditional drying systems - IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank

PNS BAFS 20 2018 GAP Corn.pdf (da.gov.ph)
 ITEM QTY CONDITION AND PURPOSE PRICE

Use to flip, mix, and collect

the grains together. Use only
Rake and/or Pangsuro
1 one if drying a small quantity
(Toothed Rake)
(more or less 7 sacks with
approx. 50 kg each)
Php 100.00 to Php
300.00

Use two or more for larger

Rake and/or Pangsuro (Flat-
2 or more quantity and to speed up the
End Rake)
work

1 in each
IRRI Low-Cost Moisture Use to determine faster the
location
Meter or PhilMech Grain grain moisture content of the
(0.5-1.0 ha
Moisture Meter grains
field)

Use to transfer the collected

grains to the sack. Use only
1 one if drying a small quantity
(more or less 7 sacks with
Rectangular Shovel/Scooper or approx. 50 kg each)
Pangsaki (metal, bucket, half- Php 499.00
cutted rectangular drum)

Use two or more for larger

2 or more quantity and to speed up the
work

Depends on
variety and
condition.
Use to store the rice grains Php 100.00 per 10 pcs
Sacks Usually 60-
before processing
70
sacks/hectar
e
 One 90cm
per sack (At
Blue Twine least 1-2 Use to close the sack with the Php 90.00 per bundle
(manual/traditional sewing) bundles per help of sack packing needles
hectare
harvest)

Use to close the sack with the

help of blue twine. Let one
1
person to sew if there's only
small quantity
Sack Packing Needles
Php 9.00 per piece
(manual/traditional sewing)

Use two or more for larger

2 or more quantity and to speed up the
work

Use to sew and stitch the sack

Automatic Handheld Rice
1 of rice automatically. Best Php 5, 800.00
Sack Sealer
application after rice milling

Depends on
the size, One Use in unclean area and to
Mats or Trapal (optional) 10 ft x 16 ft easily gather when rain Php 640.00
for 2 sacks happens.
of rice

1 in each
Use to travel easily the sack of
location
rice from storage to the field
(0.1-0.5 ha
Push Cart Trolley or Kartliya and vice versa.
field) Php 2, 700.00 per piece
(optional)
Push Cart Trolley or Kartliya
Php 2, 700.00 per piece
(optional)

2 or more Use two or more for larger

(0.5-1.0 ha quantity and to speed up the
field) work
 DIMENSION/SIZE IMAGE QR

(DIY)
Handle Length: 5-6 ft
Handle Thickness: 2 in dia or 1-
2in Flat scraper: approx 2
ft x 1 ft Fork scraper: 3 in x 1
in x 6 in Fork distance: 2-3 -n

Approx 6-7 in

Approx 18 in x 14.5 in x 4 in

40 in x 25 in
 90 cm per piece

Approx 5 in

Approx 26 cm x 25.5 cm

10 ft x 16 ft

Wheel: 8 in dia.
Height: 50 in
Length: 15 in
Wheel: 8 in dia.
Height: 50 in
Length: 15 in
PHilMech

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The IRRI low-cost moisture meter for paddy
Although the resistance type moisture meters are not too expensive, farmers still cannot afford them. The IRRI low-cost mo
decision making tool for postharvest operations that costs half of the price of a more advanced moisture meter. It is designed
making tool in postharvest operations of paddy and is not intended for trade.

Typical applications are:

1. Checking whether paddy in a dryer or in sun-drying is dry enough to stop the drying process
2. Checking whether paddy intended for milling can be stored safely
3. Checking whether rice seeds are dry enough to be stored safely. Especially when storing seeds in the hermetic storage sys
recommended to use either this or any other moisture tester to determine the seed moisture content before sealing the storag
4. The IRRI moisture meter is used as any other resistance type moisture meters by crushing a small sample of grains.

Three light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a beeper visualize the results.
Red – paddy is wet and needs to be dried (above 14%)
Green – paddy is dry enough for safe storage and at optimum MC for milling (12−14%)
Yellow – paddy is safe for seed storage (12% or below)

Within the range of 10−16%, the moisture content can be determined in 1% increments by observing the lighting patterns of
details see the photo below and the user manual.
The moisture tester is calibrated for paddy. Calibration functions for maize and other crops can be produced on request.

Guidelines for using a resistance type moisture meter:

1. Turn on the moisture meter and make sure that button indicating "paddy" is on.
2. Fill the tray of the moisture tester with paddy to the required level.
3. Turn the knob until the moisture reading is displayed.
4. Take measurements of 3−5 samples and compute the average moisture content.
5. For accurate measurements, make sure that you take a representative sample across the field and make at least 3 measurem
location to get a good average value.

SOURCES:Using moisture meters - IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank

IRRI moisture tester - IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank
d them. The IRRI low-cost moisture meter is a
d moisture meter. It is designed as a decision-

ss

eds in the hermetic storage systems it is 4.

ntent before sealing the storage container.
a small sample of grains.

serving the lighting patterns of the LEDs. For

n be produced on request.

d and make at least 3 measurements at each