Grain Drying Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cost to dry a grain lot from harvest moisture down to a safe storage level. Use it at harvest time to decide whether to dry on-farm or sell at a discount for wet grain.
About this calculator
Drying grain to a safe storage moisture (typically 13–15% for corn, 13% for soybeans) prevents spoilage and allows long-term storage. The total drying cost depends on the volume of grain, how many percentage points of moisture must be removed, and the cost per bushel per point of moisture removed. The formula is: Total Drying Cost = grain_weight × moisture_reduction × drying_cost_rate. Here, grain_weight is in bushels, moisture_reduction is the percentage points to be removed (e.g., from 20% to 15% = 5 points), and drying_cost_rate is expressed in dollars per bushel per percentage point of moisture. Typical propane dryer costs range from $0.03 to $0.06 per bushel per point removed, though this varies with propane price, dryer efficiency, and electricity use. Knowing total drying cost lets producers compare it directly against the wet discount offered by elevators.
How to use
You have 10,000 bushels of corn harvested at 22% moisture and want to dry it to 15% — a reduction of 7 percentage points. Your propane dryer costs $0.04 per bushel per point. Step 1 — note the inputs: grain_weight = 10,000 bu, moisture_reduction = 7%, drying_cost_rate = $0.04/bu/%. Step 2 — multiply: 10,000 × 7 = 70,000. Step 3 — multiply by rate: 70,000 × 0.04 = $2,800. Your total drying cost is $2,800. Compare this against the elevator's wet grain discount (often $0.05–$0.08 per bushel per point) to decide the most profitable option.
Frequently asked questions
How does fuel price affect grain drying cost per bushel?
Fuel — primarily propane or natural gas — typically accounts for 50–70% of total grain drying cost, so fuel price swings have an outsized impact on profitability. As a rule of thumb, drying one point of moisture from one bushel of corn requires approximately 0.02–0.03 gallons of propane. When propane prices rise from $1.50 to $3.00 per gallon, drying costs can effectively double. Locking in fuel contracts before harvest or maintaining on-farm propane storage to buy when prices are favorable are common risk management strategies.
What is a safe moisture level for storing corn and soybeans long-term?
For corn stored more than 6 months, 13–14% moisture is the standard target; short-term storage (under 6 months) can tolerate up to 15%. Soybeans should be stored at or below 13% moisture to prevent mold and heating. Wheat and other small grains are typically stored at 13% or below. Storing grain above these thresholds creates conditions for mold growth, mycotoxin production, and significant dry matter loss, all of which reduce both quality and market value. Aeration and regular temperature monitoring in storage bins complement proper drying.
When is it better to sell wet grain at a discount rather than dry it on-farm?
Selling wet is financially advantageous when the elevator's discount is less than your cost to dry — for example, if your drying cost is $0.05 per bushel per point but the elevator discounts only $0.03 per point, selling wet saves money. However, you must also factor in shrink (physical weight loss during drying, typically 1.2–1.4% per point removed), handling charges, and your ability to capture basis improvement by storing dry grain for later sale. On-farm drying and storage generally provide the most marketing flexibility, especially for operations with large volumes or access to lower-cost natural gas.