Famers should take some time and check data systems before they start harvest, according to Kent Shannon, University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineer.

With technology an everyday part of farming, it is important to keep those electrical components operating. Shannon offers a checklist of what to look for in different technology during this year’s harvest.

Tips for collecting farm yield data
• Back up yield data from the previous season.

• Copy each season’s data to a unique folder.

• Maintain several backup copies of the display and raw data in different locations to prevent losses from theft, damage or modification.

• Delete old files from the memory card or USB drive. Delete old files from display memory if nearing storage capacity.

• Check any data cards or USB drives to make sure they work properly with your yield monitoring display.

• Contact your local dealer or manufacturer for the most recent software and firmware upgrades for your yield monitoring and mapping system, the display, DGPS receiver, and other components. Obtain information about these upgrades through the manufacturer’s website or by contacting technical support.

• Check all cables, connections and sensors for wear or damage. Ensure that wiring and harness connections are tight.

Assess grain-elevator-mounted moisture sensor units
• Make sure the sensor is clean and undamaged.

• Clear the clean grain elevator of grain and debris.

• Check that the manual clean-out motor on the moisture sensor is working.

Evaluate combines with mass flow sensor (usually at top of clean grain elevator)
• Look for wear on the flow sensor’s impact or deflector plate. Replace the plate if worn or damaged.

• Look for excessive wear on the grain elevator and missing or worn paddles.

• Check the spacing between the paddles and the top of the elevator. Verify that it meets the * manufacturer’s requirements.

• Make sure the clean grain elevator chain is tightened to manufacturer specifications.

Check combines with optical sensor (mounted on side of clean grain elevator)
• Make sure the sensors are clean and undamaged.

• Ensure the clean grain elevator paddles are not rubbing against sensors.

• If purchasing a combine, whether new or used, with an existing yield monitoring system, check for proper installation. Verify that the mass flow sensor is mounted securely.

• If using a grain cart with scales or a weigh wagon to weigh grain harvested for yield monitor calibration loads, check that they give accurate weight data. Check weigh wagon weights against certified scales each season to ensure the load estimates are within a few percent. Use the same scales throughout calibration.

• If you aren’t sure of the accuracy of your grain moisture meter, take it to a local grain elevator with a federally approved moisture meter. Compare estimates on grain samples with a wide range of grain moisture content, such as 13% to 28%. Document differences between your meter and meters known to be accurate.

Source: University of Missouri Extension