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
The USDA’s annual report leaves dairy producers with a mixed picture. Output and herd size expanded, but weaker prices kept income from rising with production.
Total cash receipts from marketings of cattle, calves, hogs, and pigs climbed by 18% in 2025 to $165 billion.
March crush data showed stronger soybean and canola processing, but softer animal fat production.
Wyoming cowboy and Dusty Vaquero Days founder J.B. Zielke joins us to preview his upcoming event in Gillette and to highlight the festival’s celebration of cowboy culture through music and community events.

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:

Dr. Jeffrey Gold discuss nutrition challenges in rural communities, barriers to healthy food access, and ways to improve dietary outcomes this week on Rural Health Matters.
At the Port of Brownsville, shrimpers are facing rising operating costs and increased competition, but many shrimp producers and local lawmakers remain optimistic about the industry’s future.
Governor Jim Pillen joined us to share the latest on the Nebraska wildfires, discuss relief efforts, and outline considerations for producers navigating the ongoing situation.
Biofuel policy decisions may influence planting economics. Today, March 18, is also National Biodiesel Day.
Bryan Combs with USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service breaks down new farmland data from the TOTAL survey, highlights key findings, and potential impacts for the ag sector. ASFMRA’s David Klein also shares how those trends are reflected in the current farmland market, especially in the Midwest.
Geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt fertilizer shipments, raising costs and creating uncertainty for U.S. farmers ahead of planting season.
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.