What Can be Learned from the Combine Cab?

Harvest time, when all the hard work invested through the spring and summer ends. Riding in the combine cab is one of my favorite parts of the job as we can see high and low results of the season. Production questions usually arise after seeing a low-yielding area in the field. These low areas could be caused by an agronomic issue, chemical, or fertilizer component. A few topics to keep top of mind while harvesting include:

Precipitation – In some areas, the growing season was wetter than average. The struggle through spring rainfalls produced uneven emergence in some places, and it may translate into yield potential differences. A crop emerging evenly is a big factor driving yield potential. Ear size and yield performance are expected to be more consistent with even emergence. A lack of water can also have its own struggles, and regional rainfall patterns can unlock a lot of answers.

Disease - Given the temperatures and humidity this year, there may have been high disease pressure. Foliar disease lesions can still be visible on leaf tissue at harvest. If plant staygreen is poor as viewed from the cab, during a combine stop, hold a few leaves up to the sunlight and observe for lesions. If disease incidence was high and fungicide not applied, early plant senescence becomes apparent. If harvest is dusty, it is likely saprophytic fungi has been developing on the dead leaves.

Standability - Trying to harvest downed corn is not a farmer’s favorite job. Standability issues can be from a multitude of growing season issues (Figure 1). Poor root mass and poor root and stalk health are the typical culprits of this late season issue (Figure 2). When plants are healthy in season and standing at harvest, a potentially big return may be seen.

Weed Control Program - Weed pressure is another yield robbing component to think about in the growing season. A corn or soybean field is a competitive market for sunlight, water, and nutrients. The more competition crops have, the harder they must work. Keeping fields clean all season can help maximize yield potential in the long run. From the cab, it can be easy to see where there were gaps in the spray program and help determine what needs to be adjusted for the coming year.

Keep your eyes peeled while in the cab, you never know what might be discovered about the growing season!

Channel Agronomist
Lindsey McKinzie

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