EAST LANSING, Mich. — Reducing harvest losses is a simple and effective way to increase soybean yield and profitability every year. However, reducing harvest losses becomes even more important when planting is significantly delayed. The plants may be shorter than normal increasing gathering losses. Reducing harvest losses by just one bushel per acre will produce more than $8.25 per acre of additional income in 2019.
Because of this, Michigan State University Extension is cooperating with Ed Groholski Farms, AWS Airbar Systems, Burnips Equipment Company, Crary Industries, GreenMark Equipment, Spartan Crop Insurance, Stine Seeds, Wells Equipment, Williams Farm Machinery and the Michigan Soybean Checkoff to conduct a Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, in Calhoun County at 1350 12 Mile Road, Burlington, MI 49029. Participants will learn how harvest losses occur and how to measure and reduce them.
The field day will begin with a Michigan Farm Bureau presentation on farm truck regulations and safety at 10:45 a.m. and conclude by 3:30 p.m. The following topics and equipment will be demonstrated: Draper heads, auger heads, air-assisted reels, harvest loss measurements, and how ground speed and reel settings effect harvest losses.
There is no charge for the field day. However, preregistration is requested by calling 269-673-0370 ext. 2562 before noon on Friday, Sept. 13, as a complimentary lunch and educational materials will be provided. Please call the same number and extension for cancellation or rescheduling updates.
This article was produced by the SMaRT project (Soybean Management and Research Technology). The SMaRT project was developed to help Michigan producers increase soybean yields and farm profitability. SMaRT is a partnership between MSU Extension and the Michigan Soybean Checkoff program.
— Michael Staton, Michigan State University Extension
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