Northwest Grain Growers Encouraged Monitor Harvest Loss

Input costs are high, commodity prices are low, so grain farmers can’t afford to leave yield in the field.

Shianne Reynolds, harvest optimization expert with Bushel Plus encourages growers to focus on one of the most overlooked management practices; measuring harvest loss.  Reynolds says when you measure your harvest loss, you can fine tune the combine calibration.  And she was quick to point out, growers need to watch for harvest losses, even in modern combines that are engineered for efficiency.

“Harvest conditions continually change, and I think every farmer can attest to that," Reynolds said.  "One day it's dry, the next it might be humid. You know crop moisture, the residue, terrain, they all affect how your combine performs and that means that your combine settings need to change as well. What worked yesterday might not work today, and if you're not adjusting, you could be leaving money on the ground.”

A Drop Pan Can Provide Immediate Returns

Reynolds said Bushel Plus provides help for farmers through the SmartPan System, an automated, remote-controlled drop pan paired with a mobile app.  She said the grower can run the pan from inside or outside the cab, collect the sample and then use the app to calculate grain loss instantly.  Reynolds added the SmartPan System makes checking for grain loss fast, safe and precise.

“A drop pan is one of those few tools that really gives you an immediate return on investment, often in the first field," she said.  "It's a small investment that pays for itself really fast and helps you make the most out of the crop that you have in the field.”

Learn more about the SmartPan System, or Bushel Plus, by listening to our podcast with Reynolds:

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com