In many areas of Kansas, prolonged drought has resulted in short wheat and thin stands. Harvesting wheat in these situations can be a challenge. Special attention needs to be given to cutting height, machine adjustments, and operator control.
In many areas of Kansas, prolonged drought has resulted in short wheat and thin stands. Harvesting wheat in these situations can be a challenge. Special attention needs to be given to cutting height, machine adjustments, and operator control. In short wheat, getting the heads into the combine with less straw will be a challenge.
Although this will be a rough wheat harvest for many farmers, some changes can be made to help maximize harvest efficiencies. Special attention needs to be given to cutting height, machine adjustments, and operator control. Anything that can be done to preserve what little crop residue is present will be important in dryland system in particular.
In many areas of Kansas, prolonged drought has resulted in short wheat and thin stands. Harvesting wheat in these situations can be a challenge. Special attention needs to be given to cutting height, machine adjustments, and operator control. Although this will be a rough wheat harvest for many farmers, some changes can help maximize harvest efficiencies.
This article discusses management options for short or drought-stressed alfalfa stands. Always use caution when harvesting alfalfa in the fall, especially if the plant is drought-stressed. Cutting the crop without leaving 6-8 weeks of re-growth before the first freeze can damage the stand and reduce persistence for subsequent years.