Iowa's Temporary Mountains of Corn

What happens to the corn harvest when it is too plentiful for local storage capacity? Grain goes old school - on the ground.

In 42N country there are a variety of open air, temporary storage areas for corn and soybeans used during the harvest season. In this case the temporary storage area is a concrete floor and wall structure located in Manchester, Iowa. Skid loaders or tractor powered augers later move the harvest to grain transportation semi-trucks for further distribution.

One important development lately is a expandable, tent-like structure used by grain elevators to cover large grain heaps during harvest. The cover keeps the grain dust down, the elements and critters out, thus preserving the product for later sale. Know that.

Grain Bins Hold the 2010 Harvest

As noted earlier in 42N blog posts, the countryside here reflects the grain agriculture nature of the Hawkeye state. In Iowa our mid-continent, mid latitude land is farmed primarily for corn and soybean production. These grains form the basis for livestock feed, fuel, or any number of things that manufacturers produce using these main staples (like starch.)

Small towns and rural crossroads with one or more bins like this scene above are quite common. Bins can represent storage and mixing facilities for livestock food. Feed mixture can be customized for a variety of livestock needs from poultry to cattle. Minerals and other additives can be mixed with corn or soybeans to deliver whatever the livestock producer requires for his/her livestock operation.

Steel bin imagery is often taken for granted because it is repeated so often around the region. These bins however, represent an important link from field to food, energy and material production around the world. Know that.

Grain Processing Mills Ready for Fall Harvest

In many 42N country small towns local grain mills are ready to process the 2010 crop. Here in the southern portion of Iowa City (41°38'N, 91°33'W), near the municipal airport is a complex of grain storage bins and mills. This site is repeated all over the Midwest to the point where you hardly notice the structures. But venture outside the region or into urban areas and you will not see these iconic structures.

Some of the bins hold the harvest for later transport to distribution centers or local business consumers. Some of the bin contents are milled per individual specification for livestock feed like in the photo above. A stat that I found regarding the annual harvest of 12.1 million bushels of corn use in North America is: 

• 44% livestock feed
• 30% fuel production (ethanol)
• 15% exports
• 8% making food starches and sweeteners
• 3% making corn flour, grit, meal and beverage alcohol. 

Nationwide, the corn harvest through September 20th is 18% complete. Know that.