Show FARM TOPICS OP acs ics TIMING CROP EFFECTS YIELD harvesting immature grain decreases quality by W W BROOKINS extension agronomist university farm st paul As key producers in the national defense program farmers of the nation have a special ve responsibility this year to get the new grain crop threshed and stored in as good condition as possible both the yield and quality of grains may be materially a uy affected by farm practice during the harvest threshing period one of the most important steps toward high grade grain in the bin is cutting at the proper stage of maturity too early harvesting is a common mistake grain should be at least in the firm dough stage if hail and insect damage can be avoided the crop should stand until it is well matured grain harvested with the binder should be placed in well built shocks as soon as possible after cutting grain should be threshed only when dry enough for safe storage A moisture content of 10 to 12 per cent is considered safe for storage of wheat oats barley or rye while flax is safe if moisture is down to 8 or 10 per cent in temperate dry regions higher moisture content can be permitted but in areas where the weather is normally humid the grain must be dry or it will spoil in the bin when in doubt it is safest to get a moisture test from a local elevator insect damage in the bin usually accompanies moist grain and heating now that combine harvesting is more common even on smaller farms a great deal of attention needs to be given to this form of threshing it is wise to avoid combining grain that is immature or moisture laden when there is dew combining should be delayed in the morning until grain is dry cutting should stop in the late afternoon as soon as the grain begins to take up moisture from the air |