• Levels of moisture and temperature of shelled maize should be reduced. Please note that high levels of moisture and temperature, and bruises to kernels, lead to the growth of molds in shelled maize. Mould growth is negligible when maize moisture content is below 13%.
• Dry wet maize to 12 to 14 percent moisture immediately after harvest. This is the surest method of limiting mould growth.
• If you must hold wet maize at moisture levels above 20 percent -without even a small amount of drying, maintain maize temperatures as low as possible under some form of aeration or maintain maximum ventilation as possible.
• Follow those cultural practices most likely to produce a vigorous maize crop and make it fully mature before harvesting. If maize is fully mature, there is less infection and mould growth while ears are still on the plant.
• Keep damage to kernels to a minimum. Causes of damage include: high-moisture shelling, high speed operation of sheller, drying process, loading and unloading, equipment and Insect damage in field and in storage.
• Use caution in blending lots of maize that differ substantially in either quality or moisture content. Do not blend maize of 20 percent moisture with 10 percent maize in the belief that the mixed batch will equalize overall at 15 percent. It will not unless the mixing is unusually thorough.
• After the maize has been dried to a moisture level adequate for storage, provide sufficient air flow to bring the maize to a uniform temperature.
• Check maize regularly for moisture, heat, mold, insects or off colors and off odors.
• Follow best practices, good insect – and disease control practices.