|
Cultural practices and lack of good machine adjustment can result in greater differences in losses than any other way. Soybean varieties, because of low podding or lodge resistance characteristics, can affect losses. Harvesting at low moisture levels increases shatter losses.
The losses in the chart are based on the total number of beans lost in the marked-off plot.
To check losses, operate the platform in from the ends of the field and where the crop is typical of entire field. Stop combine and back a few feet away from the standing soybeans.
Mark off an area or plot in front of the platform and the drive wheel tracks as wide as the platform and 610 mm (2 ft) long.
|
Count the number of beans in the plot for the following types of gathering losses.
STUBBLE LOSS: Pods left attached to stalk stubble.
UNCUT STALK: Lodged or down stalks not gathered by the platform.
CUT STALK LOSS: Stalks cut but lost in the gathering process.
PODS: Loose pods detached from stalks.
SHATTER: Loose soybeans on the ground.
Pre-harvest losses of loose soybeans and pods in the rows are generally low and can be included in the total loss count.
|