When selecting ears in the field, growers should select only those ears that come from plants that have not lodged. Depending on the amount of variability in the plant population, growers should also select ears from plants with few extra stems and those that have ears that flop over on the plant. Plants with floppy ears tend to have less water and bird damage. Birds find it difficult to peck on ears that have flopped over. After shucking, the ears should undergo further selection pressure by saving only those large, dark blue ears with small kernels.
Small kernels tend to exhibit a higher quality, nuttier blue corn type taste.
Ears with dented kernels should be rejected. Seed corn can be stored shelled or on the cob in a cool, dry area until the following spring. All cracked kernels and foreign debris should be removed from shelled corn before storage. Lower moisture levels generally result in more cracking of the kernels. Rotary combines are the preferred means of harvesting over picker-shellers because they result in fewer cracked kernels.