I am new at this,but i let my corn dry down in field to 15% and the picker shelled it really bad. I had one field that i had to replant it was a month later so i picked it at 20% that sovled the shelling problem. With all that said, if it was mind i would pick it. good luck. James
depends if your picker has stripper plates or snapping rolls also where your going to store it. if you have snapping rolls and are putting it in a wooden crib then 20.5 is fine even a little wetter would be ok.stripper plates and putting it in a round crib or on the ground 20.5 might be a little wet but stripper plates and a wooden crib you could pick it a little drier and not worry about shelling at the head.Picking corn is my favorite farming chore.
Thanks pickerwoods 53. It's raining here now so if I let it stand another week I should be good. My picker is a New Idea 323, crib is off the ground. Thanks for replys
Well I got after it today picked all I had to pick about 3 acres picker worked perfect ,no jams cleand good, Should of done it earlier it was at 20.5 on thursday last week, sheeling in the snaping rollers pretybad deer and turkeys will have lots to eat for a few weeks
The best moisture for picking ear corn is from 20 to 24 percent. Less shelling and the husks and other trash are a bit damp yet so the rolls will grab them easier, making for cleaner husking.
