Short Wheat May Require Combine Adjustments to Maximize Yield, CLAAS Expert Says

Matthew Poling with CLAAS joins us to discuss harvest strategies for a below-average wheat crop and combine adjustments growers should consider.

OMAHA, NEB. (RFD NEWS)Winter wheat growers facing a below-average crop this season may need to make adjustments ahead of harvest as poor growing conditions create new challenges in the field.

Matthew Poling, product specialist with CLAAS, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to discuss key harvest considerations and how growers can optimize combine performance in a shorter-than-normal wheat crop.

Poling explained the initial adjustments he recommends for producers preparing to harvest a short wheat crop, including considerations for header setup and machine operation before entering the field. He also discussed how the combined settings may need to be adjusted as the crop moves through the machine to reduce losses and improve efficiency.

In addition, Poling addressed whether a lighter crop translates into less wear and tear on equipment or whether certain conditions can create additional challenges for harvest machinery. He also highlighted the importance of proper machine maintenance and monitoring throughout the harvest season.

Finally, Poling shared an overview of the support and resources CLAAS provides to growers as they prepare for harvest, including service, technology, and product assistance designed to help maximize performance in varying crop conditions.

LEARN MORE: www.CLAAS.com

Related Stories
Watch AARP Live tonight at 7:30 PM ET on RFD-TV to learn more about ways to reduce expenses and make smart financial choices.
Corn demand is rising thanks to ethanol expansion, yet year-round E15 remains missing from the Farm Bill—leaving farmers questioning the policy gap.
Wed, 3/11/26 – 7:30 PM ET – John Deere’s cutting-edge technology boosts efficiency, reduces costs, and promotes sustainability.
Bipartisan momentum builds, but final farm policy remains unsettled.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

With port fees now lifted, economists believe that could help ease tensions. However, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Faith Parum said trade deals with smaller Asian countries are helping stabilize the ag economy.
Ohio AgNet’s Dusty Sonnenberg takes us up in the cab with a popcorn farmer bringing in this year’s haul.
The DOJ’s new antitrust probe could reshape beef-packer behavior, with potential impacts on fed-cattle prices, processor margins, and long-term competition across the supply chain.
Congressman Blake Moore of Utah discusses the bill’s potential to promote both economic growth and healthier forests on this week’s Champions of Rural America.
Mike Newland with the Propane Education & Research Council shares how producers can prepare for winter weather and the benefits of propane.
Stagger buys and diversifies fertilizer sources — watch CBAM, India’s tenders, and Brazil’s import pace to time urea, phosphate, and potash purchases.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.