The proper use of a moisture meter is critical in making sound grain harvesting, drying, storage and marketing decisions. Grain Sampling Field Sample - Obtaining a representative field sample before harvest is difficult. Moisture content of standing grain is often underestimated.
Spot check each field to determine apparent quality and moisture of the crop.
Since the outside rows are atypical, walk through the field in a pattern. Hand pick and shell grain from several plants, mix the samples, and take at least three readings for an average value. Pass the can across the grain stream about every 50 bushels and collect the grain into a bucket. To avoid changes in the moisture content cover the bucket if the grain will not be tested immediately. Going as deep as possible at the bin center and several other locations will help determine the progress of the drying front in bin drying operations, or reveal potential trouble spots in storage bins.