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Grain Moisture Shrink Calculator - Physical Shrink vs. Elevator Shrink

See the hidden margin in your elevator's shrink factor and the real dollar impact

Calculate the actual physical weight loss from drying grain versus the shrink factor your elevator applies. Most elevators use a shrink factor that exceeds true physical shrink - this tool shows you exactly how much extra you're paying and the dollar impact at current commodity prices.

Pro Tip: The industry-standard physical shrink formula is 1.183% per point of moisture removed from corn. If your elevator charges 1.4% per point, that 0.217% difference adds up fast on big loads.

Compare on-farm drying cost vs. elevator charges

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Grain Moisture Shrink Calculator
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How It Works

  1. Enter Moisture Levels

    Input the initial (wet) moisture percentage and target (dry) moisture percentage.

  2. Enter Elevator Shrink Factor

    Input the per-point shrink factor your elevator charges. Common values range from 1.2% to 1.5% per point.

  3. Enter Bushels and Price

    Input the number of wet bushels and the current commodity price to see the dollar impact of physical vs. elevator shrink.

Built For

  • Farmers evaluating elevator vs. on-farm drying economics
  • Grain merchandisers calculating net deliverable bushels
  • Farm managers comparing elevator shrink schedules

Assumptions

  • Physical shrink factor of 1.183% per point is specific to shelled corn and based on the USDA weight-moisture relationship
  • Grain is at uniform moisture content throughout the load (no moisture stratification)
  • Elevator shrink factor is applied linearly per point of moisture removed
  • Commodity price is constant across the drying period (no basis adjustment)
  • No handling loss occurs during transfer, conveying, or storage beyond the shrink calculation
  • Moisture readings are taken with a calibrated FGIS-approved meter

Limitations

  • Physical shrink factors differ by commodity — corn (1.183%), soybeans (1.175%), wheat (1.176%) — and this calculator uses corn as the default
  • Does not account for moisture rebound after drying, which can add 0.5-1.0 points of moisture in storage
  • Elevator shrink schedules may include handling loss, which is a separate real loss beyond the moisture calculation
  • Does not model the economic impact of quality discounts (test weight, damage, broken kernels) that often accompany high-moisture grain
  • Not applicable to ear corn or high-moisture corn stored as silage
  • Assumes a single-pass drying operation; multi-pass drying introduces cumulative rounding in elevator schedules

References

  • USDA FGIS — Moisture Conversion and Shrinkage Factors for Grain
  • Iowa State University Extension PM-1635 — Grain Moisture Shrink: How It Affects You
  • Purdue University — Grain Shrinkage and Handling Loss Calculations for Corn
  • ASABE D241.4 — Density, Specific Gravity, and Mass-Moisture Relationships of Grain for Storage
  • University of Illinois — Grain Marketing and Shrink Factor Economics
  • National Corn Growers Association — Grain Marketing Reference: Moisture Shrink Tables

Frequently Asked Questions

Elevators build in a margin above true physical shrink to cover handling loss, moisture rebound, and profit. A typical elevator charges 1.3-1.5% per point while physical shrink is only 1.183% per point for corn. The difference is their margin on shrink.
For corn: Physical shrink (%) = (initial moisture - target moisture) × 1.183. This accounts for the fact that removing water reduces total bushel weight. The 1.183 factor is derived from the weight-moisture relationship.
No. The 1.183% per point factor is specific to corn. Soybeans use approximately 1.175%, wheat approximately 1.176%. The differences are small but add up on large volumes.
Disclaimer: Physical shrink calculations use standard industry formulas. Actual shrink varies with grain condition, handling method, and storage time. Verify elevator shrink schedules directly with your buyer.

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