Grain Storage & Drying Cost Calculator
Storing wet grain costs you in two ways: shrink (weight loss as it dries) and the drying charge itself, plus the interest on money tied up in stored bushels. This models all three.
Shrink (Purdue NCH-61): dry bushels = wet bushels × (100 − harvest moisture%) ÷ (100 − target moisture%). Water shrink alone is ~1.18% per point at a 15% target; commercial elevators often use a higher factor (e.g. 1.4%/point) that includes handling loss. Drying cost: wet bushels × points removed × rate per point (example $0.05/bu/pt). Interest: stored value × annual rate × (months ÷ 12) — the opportunity cost of cash tied up in the bin. Safe storage: corn should dry to ~14-15%; store cooler than 50°F and aerate to control mold.
FAQ
How much grain is lost to shrink?
At a 15% target, each point of moisture costs about 1.18% of wet weight in water shrink alone, before handling loss. Corn at 20.5% drying to 15% loses roughly 6.5% to shrink.
Is it better to sell wet or dry?
Sell wet if the elevator's wet-sale price minus shrink and drying charges nets more than drying on-farm and storing. This calculator compares the pieces so you can decide with real numbers.
What is a typical drying charge?
Commercial drying runs roughly $0.03-$0.08 per bushel per point in 2026 examples, plus handling and storage fees. On-farm drying has fuel and electricity instead.
Figures are editable example defaults for planning, not guarantees. Crop inputs, prices, and moisture handling vary by farm, region, and year — verify with your local extension service and agronomist.