by Julia Debes

As producers prepare to harvest short wheat and thin stands, Kansas State University cropping specialists recently detailed their recommendations for adjusting combines and operator control in a recent Agronomy eUpdate.

“In short wheat, getting the heads into the combine with less straw will be a challenge,” the authors wrote. “In some cases, the reel may not be able to convey the wheat back from the cutter bar to the auger, nor hold it in place during cutting.” The eUpdate was written by Lucas Haag, K-State Northwest area crops and soils specialist; Ajay Sharda, K-State Extension biological and agricultural engineer; John Holman, K-State cropping systems agronomist in Garden City; and Romulo Lollato, K-State wheat and forages specialist. 

“Short-cutting will also mean more contact potential with the ground and reduced levels of surface residue, which will likely negatively impact moisture storage,” they added.

To address these issues, the cropping specialists provided specific recommendations for the different types of headers used for harvesting.

Regardless of the type of header, producers should consider adjusting combines for concave or rotor cage clearance, cylinder or rotor speed and fan speed. These adjustments help reduce grain losses from leaving wheat in the field and threshing damage within the combine. Producers should also perform kill-stops during harvest to make midharvest adjustments.

Overall, harvesting short, thin wheat is challenging, but producers can influence the amount of wheat successfully deposited in the bin. Perhaps equally as important during this prolonged drought, leaving the maximum amount of the already-short residue in the field can help reduce postharvest water evaporation, aid in the retention of snow next winter and improve next year’s yields.

“Although this will be a rough wheat harvest for many farmers, some changes can be made to help harvest efficiencies,” the specialists wrote. “Producers in dryland production systems need to keep in mind that in very low-yielding wheat years, anything that can be done to preserve what little crop residue is present will have a large impact on evaporative losses and the productivity of the next crop.”

Read the full June 1 K-State Agronomy eUpdate at eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu. 

Debes is a freelance writer for Kansas Wheat.

Source: Kansas Wheat