Corn prices down this year

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npompei

Member
Oct 16, 2010
51
Warrington, PA
Just in case some of you (like myself) had written corn off after the last 2 years of sky high prices should be happier.

My local farm/tractor/St. Croix dealer has corn for $6.50 a bag. This compared to $9.00 last year. So I was going to go all pellets but at this price, I think I'll go 1.5 tons of corn and 2 tons of pellets. I like mixing the two for a great clean burn.
Keep your eyes open as prices will most likely go up soon though.
 
Unfortunately, even if the wood pellets you buy were $310/ton, they would still be cheaper than the corn at that price.

Even though you're mixing them, the cost per BTU for what they contribute to the burn is still way too high.
 
Corn bags around me are heavier. They are normally 50-60 lbs IIRC??

If its cheap enough, the heat is great. As long as the M/C is low. If its High M/C corn, then I'd have to pass.
 
DexterDay said:
Corn bags around me are heavier. They are normally 50-60 lbs IIRC??

If its cheap enough, the heat is great. As long as the M/C is low. If its High M/C corn, then I'd have to pass.
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My calculations above were using a 50lb bag of corn. If the bags at his farm/tractor are lighter, it's even worse for burning corn.
 
imacman said:
Unfortunately, even if the wood pellets you buy were $310/ton, they would still be cheaper than the corn at that price.

Even though you're mixing them, the cost per BTU for what they contribute to the burn is still way too high.
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True but doesn't corn burn significantly hotter? Not to mention, the cleanliness factor is huge. Cleaning a corn stove is so simple compared to pellets.
 
npompei said:
True but doesn't corn burn significantly hotter? Not to mention, the cleanliness factor is huge. Cleaning a corn stove is so simple compared to pellets.
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The fuel cost calculator I used takes into account the btu output from the fuel you select. Try it for yourself.

Oh, and I've burned some corn....have no idea where you think it's cleaner. My stove is made to burn corn, and it was a mess afterwards.

http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/energy/energy-use/making-decisions/comparison-charts
 
The drier. The better. If its high moisture corn? Forget it. But low M/C and I would be on it. The corn itself lasts longer and provides more usable heat. But you need a unit that can burn it and keep it clean enough till you get up or get home.
 
but isn't it a lot of work opening all those cans? Will creamed corn burn at a higher temp (more BTU's?)
 
imacman said:
The fuel cost calculator I used takes into account the btu output from the fuel you select. Try it for yourself.

Oh, and I've burned some corn....have no idea where you think it's cleaner. My stove is made to burn corn, and it was a mess afterwards.

http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/energy/energy-use/making-decisions/comparison-charts
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Thanks Imacman! Cool link. It's close though so maybe to make things easier I just go 3 tons of green teams instead. Oh this time of year...
 
npompei said:
Thanks Imacman! Cool link. It's close though so maybe to make things easier I just go 3 tons of green teams instead. Oh this time of year...
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Again, not sure what you're looking at. I ran the numbers and the corn wasn't even close, price wise. Re-read my post (#2) above. The wood pellets would have to be more than $310/ton for the corn you saw to be cheaper.
 
imacman said:
Again, not sure what you're looking at. I ran the numbers and the corn wasn't even close, price wise. Re-read my post (#2) above. The wood pellets would have to be more than $310/ton for the corn you saw to be cheaper.
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Sorry if my post didn't make sense, so let me make sure I understand you too:

Corns too expensive
Wood is cheaper

Right?! So instead of getting corn along with some pellets, I'll just go with straight wood instead. It's an easier scenario anyway from a delivery standpoint

Thanks for the help too. Something about corn though that still intrigues me! Haha
 
npompei said:
Something about corn though that still intrigues me! Haha
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Me too, I like the fact corn is seasonal and doesn't take 20-30 years to regrow. Less energy to produce(doesn't need to be pelletized). But since its used to produce the ethonal we add to our petrol, They have priced the chit out of it and all bets are off.

I was hoping grass(another season regrowth) pellets were an option, But the ash content kills that deal too. Bamboo(yep regrows in 1 season) has high hopes, But haven't tried them.
 
jtakeman said:
....Bamboo(yep regrows in 1 season) has high hopes, But haven't tried them.
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Jay, did we ever find out if someone even made bamboo pellets? Is our friend that makes the grass pellets even still doing that?
 
npompei said:
Corns too expensive
Wood is cheaper

Right?! So instead of getting corn along with some pellets, I'll just go with straight wood instead. It's an easier scenario anyway from a delivery standpoint....
Click to expand...
Correct.
 
Corn is growing like weeds all over New Jersey these days.....
 
imacman said:
Jay, did we ever find out if someone even made bamboo pellets? Is our friend that makes the grass pellets even still doing that?
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I never found anyone marketing/making bamboo pellets. I still have high hopes it may happen someday.

AFAIK, DJ is still making the grass pellets. I wonder if we found a source for bamboo if he would pellet some for us?
 
jtakeman said:
Me too, I like the fact corn is seasonal and doesn't take 20-30 years to regrow. Less energy to produce(doesn't need to be pelletized). But since its used to produce the ethonal we add to our petrol, They have priced the chit out of it and all bets are off.

I was hoping grass(another season regrowth) pellets were an option, But the ash content kills that deal too. Bamboo(yep regrows in 1 season) has high hopes, But haven't tried them.
Click to expand...
If they would pellet low quality Ddg's It might help on a couple of fronts, but the protein for feed is as valuable as the whole corn per ton.
 
Id like to start a new pellet from junk mail. There wouldn't be any shortages for sure.
 
With marajauna becoming legal in a lot of states ,hemp grows very fast and uses and takes little resources to grow.Makes a nice fabric and paper.
 
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