AGRICULTURAL
To harvest efficiently has a
financial impact regarding
profits, but also on the
following season.
important. Contact your service provider
for the best technical information.
• Consider newer headers with hydraulic
or automatic adjustment mechanisms
which could decrease losses signifi-
cantly.
• Technology such as the “Yield Saver”
is also available and replaces the deck
plates with brushes.
• Balance header speed and ground-
speed to limit losses.
Threshing and cleaning (sifting) action
• Concave clearance should be set to
fracture the cobs into halves or pie-
shaped segments.
• Cylinder or rotors should be set that
an occasional kernel is left on the cob.
Literature suggests that the best com-
promise between unshelled grain and
excessive kernel damage occurs when
about 0.2 percent of the kernels are
left on the cob. This will differ between
farms, moisture content, cultivar, etc.
• Grain losses may be reduced by
adjusting fan speed. High air speed
causes high kernel losses. Conversely,
when air speed is too low, unnecessary
foreign material will be retained in the
grain, resulting in lower quality. The
chaffer and sieve should be adjusted
to minimize grain losses in the tailings.
A good way to adjust the cylinder or rotor
is to begin with the clearance and speed
recommended by the manufacturer (or in
the middle of the suggested range), then
make small changes after checking the
discharge of the machine.
SUMMARY
Effective harvesting does not only have an
immediate impact on profits, but also on
the following season. The technological
development, information and adjustments
are extensive and require specialist focus
and attention.
SOURCES
Back to Basics in the Combine,
September, 22 2017 by Chad Swindoll,
AGLEADER,
Best Management Practices, Chapter 37,
SDSU Extension,
Corn Harvesting losses, Technical Bulletin
Issue 307, November 2016. LG Seeds,
Corn Production Handbook, Kansas State
University Extension, September 2007
Don’t Leave Yield Behind in the Field,
AUGUST 26, 2011, Dan Anderson,
Tips for Efficiently Harvesting Corn, July
20, 2016, Kansas State University
Extension,
Yield Loss at Harvest, October 13, 2015,
Laura Johnston, CCA-ON, Maizex
Seeds.
SENWES SCENARIO | AUTUMN 2018
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