Farming corn is a complex undertaking that requires many steps. Each part of the process utilizes one or more specialized machines or other gear. Irrigators, grain bins, and combine harvesters are all essential to farming success. The information below should help beginner or prospective farmers better understand what it takes to grow and harvest this crop.

3 Pieces of Equipment Essential to Corn Farming

1. Farm Irrigation System

Corn grows rapidly and consumes significant quantities of water in the process. Moreover, it grows only shallow roots, which makes it susceptible to drought. For these reasons, a reliable farm irrigator is crucial. A drip irrigation system is ideal, since it delivers precise amounts of moisture and any needed nutrients to the base of the stalk, just above the roots. It helps farmers conserve water by delivering the precise amount needed directly to the point of use instead of sprinkling broadly across the field.

2. Combine Harvester

A combine is a huge, mobile machine — sometimes pulled by a tractor, but sometimes self-propelled — that harvests wide swaths of ripe corn. It gets its name from the fact that it combines three essential farming processes: reaping, threshing, and winnowing. Reaping involves chopping down the stalk, threshing beats the grain to loosen it from the stalk, and winnowing separates the grain from the chaff.

3. Grain Bins

Grain bins are large, cylindrical structures used to store harvested grain before it's sold on the market. They look like silos, but are shorter, wider, and vented to allow moisture to escape. Silos, on the other hand, are designed to retain moisture because they contain silage – the wet, fermented grasses used to feed livestock.

If you’re new to farming and need a supplier of grain bins, contact Pipe Plus, a metal fabricator in Willow Springs, MO. They supply bins, hay feeders, culverts and steel piping to clients throughout Howell County. They've been in business for more than 20 years and their products are reputed for their exceptional quality. Visit their website to connect with them online or call (417) 469-5292 to schedule a consultation.