In addition to fields, floodwaters have claimed homes, farm buildings and grain bins this spring, creating permanent damage to improvements on thousands of Cornbelt farms and destroying millions of bushels of stored grain.

Owners of many farmsteads are returning home to inventory the damage, but also wonder what can be salvaged. Let’s develop a checklist and action plan to address those questionable issues.

A good checklist is provided by Iowa State grain quality specialist Charles Hurburgh and colleague Dan Loy in the Animal Science Department. Their factsheet on flooding and stored grain will provide guidance to many Cornbelt farms.

• Flood damaged grain is considered contaminated because of the unknown toxins in the floodwaters. It cannot be used for anything and is destined only for disposal. Health officials may have preferences for where it goes.
• Consider tile and pit water to be contaminated with animal waste and chemicals, along with any storm sewers, which become contaminated in floods.
• In a grain bin that was partially submerged, the grain that remained several inches or more above the high water mark should be in good condition. However, it must be removed from the top, since it will be compromised by the contaminated grain through regular bin emptying methods.
• Grain that is wet will provide a haven for toxins, and with warm temperatures mold will grow fast. Clean grain that is wet will spoil within hours in the summer.
• If grain is wet only from rain water because of a leak in a bin, the grain can be dried and clean, tested for mycotoxins, and then used without delay.
• Grain that comes in contact with muddy soil should also be considered as contaminated, even if the grain was initially dry, but became scattered on the ground during subsequent salvage.
• The Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines on grain handling allows for washing and high temperature drying, as long as it did not remain in floodwaters for any length of time, and the water was clean. If the grain is reconditioned, the FDA must give written consent before it is sold. The grain can be dried and either immediately feed to livestock or ensiled for later feed use.
• Livestock can be fed wet corn, but the ration should be recalculated to account for the high moisture content. Whole, wet soybeans can also be fed as the protein portion in a livestock ration, but the ration should be recalculated to accommodate the change.
• If livestock are being fed DDGS, the addition of whole soybeans that might be wet could create problems with excess fat content in the ration. Raw soybeans can be fed to sows, but they need to be heat treated to be fed to younger pigs.
• Submerged grain bins that were full of grain may be at the end of their useful life. The soaked grain will be expanding and bin seams will split, bolt holes could enlarge, and caulked seals will be compromised. Doors may no longer shut. Other structures, such as stirring devices may no longer work properly. Bin foundations may have deteriorated. Bin design engineers may be needed to assess the damage to grain bins.
• On bins and other farm structures, electrical wiring may also have been compromised. Controllers, motors, fans, and other powered equipment may be ruined, but should not be energized when still wet.
• Wooden structures may be totally ruined, because of drywall and insulation deterioration and the introduction of molds to structural areas.

Summary:

Farm structures may have been substantially damaged during the flood, which includes electrical components and foundation damage. Grain bins that were submerged may be holding grain that is swelling and will cause bin failure. Grain that was submerged in the flood cannot be used for feed or food and should be destroyed. If grain became wet from the rain, and has not yet spoiled, it can be washed and reconditioned, then used with written consent of the FDA. And, yes, grain elevator managers face the same issues as farm operators.

Stu Ellis

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