There’s not just one solution to preventing soybean losses during harvest. Attentive scouting, informed decisions and upgraded technology are just some of the factors that can help you make the most of your soybean harvest.

Getting the most soybeans in the tank doesn’t require the newest machinery, although it can help. Tom McKinney of Tipton County, Ind., explains that upgrading your combine could be one solution to preventing soybean losses.

“If you can justify a bigger combine, Case has the automatic crops settings,” McKinney says. “Those are worth their weight in gold on soybeans.”

McKinney explains that this technology can automatically adjust settings on the go, such as screen and fan settings. For Case IH fans, this technology would be in the ACS combines. On the other hand, John Deere’s version is the Combine Advisor package. However, if you can’t justify this technology on your farm, there are a variety of other items to consider when preventing soybean losses.

Choose a draper head. Opt for a draper head over a head with a cross auger. “You’re still fine using a cross auger, but a draper head will help some because you don’t have an auger beating on the pods,” McKinney says.

More importantly, he says, a draper head feeds the crop much more evenly. Even with some moisture from dew, this head can give an even feed longer into the evening, meaning you can operate efficiently for a couple extra hours. However, this head does come with a higher price tag.

Monitor moisture. Steve Gauck of Greensburg, Ind., recommends starting your soybean harvest at a slightly higher moisture each day. This means aiming for about 14% moisture when you start so that you can achieve 13% or 12% moisture later in the day instead of allowing soybeans to get too dry.

“To keep that moisture higher is better all the time,” Gauck says.

McKinney echoes this advice, adding that he’ll start operating at a half-point to one point higher than the desired moisture.

Sample often. McKinney recommends carrying a small screen in the combine and pulling samples from the grain tank often. Checking that sample will help you determine if you should change your settings depending on if you’re getting too many splits.

Operator is key

Above all these recommendations, McKinney shares that having an operator with a keen eye will be the best investment.

“You become one with the machine,” McKinney says. “Now, that sounds sci-fi, but you can get tuned in to the noises, and it will help you a lot.”

He says it is beneficial to attend combine schools at local dealerships. Rather than attending to hear about the newest cab upgrades, you should ask about settings or what issues the technicians have had to address the most in previous years.

A motherly instinct also can come in handy during harvest, McKinney says. Be attentive, and constantly check monitors. These operators are willing to take a minute to pull samples and make sure everything is operating correctly.

“All these things added together make a high-performing combine,” McKinney says.