Step 4: Harvesting the Corn
After approximately 70 to 100 days or about 20 days after silk strands appear, it may be time to harvest the corn. (buzzle.com) A good indicator of telling if the corn is ready is if the ear f
eels full and plump. Other indicators include, the color of the silk strands is dark or if the kernels produce a “milky” liquid when punctured. If the crop is harvested after it is “too-ripe” than it is more susceptible to rotting, insect damage, or kernel damage. Moisture content is also important, harvesting should take place when the moisture content of the corn is 15-18 percent. (University of Arkansas) The farmer will select several ears of corn to test and once they feel that the corn is ready to be harvested then they will begin to spend many hours harvesting their crops, generally with a combine. A combine will cut then “thresh” the crops. This process involves the corn moving through the machine and stripping the kernels from the stalks.