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
Farmer and retired colonial Joe Ricker joined us to highlight Ag Safety Awareness Program Week, share his work supporting veterans and farmers, and offer guidance on making safety a year-round priority on the farm.
Dry conditions may tighten hay supplies before summer growth. John Mays of Central Life Sciences joined us to discuss the risks of extended grain storage, how quality can be affected over time, and what growers can do to protect their grain while waiting for market opportunities.
Crop value concentration keeps farm income tied closely to commodity price cycles.
High fertilizer costs and global risks threaten spring margins for growers.

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:

Persistently low Mississippi River levels are turning logistics challenges into pricing risks — tightening margins for grain producers and exporters across the heartland.
A rescheduled WASDE, China’s soybean squeeze, barge bottlenecks, and premium beef demand all collide this week — with cash decisions, basis, and risk plans on the line.
Pull out the popcorn! We’ve rounded up the 10 best cowboy movies of all time.
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) shares his outlook on the developing U.S.-China Trade agreement, and the ongoing impact of the federal government shutdown—now stretching past four weeks—on rural communities and producers.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss what the Carney-Xi meeting could mean for Canadian producers.
Market analyst and friend of the show, Shawn Hackett, says Brazil’s shifting use of crops for biofuel production is a significant factor.
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.