Farmer Focus: Combine breakdowns and variable crop yields
© Angus Findlay Harvest started at Southesk on 21 July, fully a week earlier than normal and has already produced more than enough drama both crop and operationally related.
The combination of three months of continual winter rain is in stark contrast to the extremely hot summer temperatures, which forced crops into early senescence.
The effects of this are now confirmed by the combine, with yields very much based on soil type and quality of drainage, but also the soil’s ability to hold onto moisture through the summer months.
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The 145ha of Caravelle winter barley produced the best yields yet seen on one of our “all weather” blocks of land at 9.7t/ha.
But just two miles along the road on poorer land with both drainage and cereal cyst nematode issues, we managed only 5.8t/ha.
Since then, our 175ha of Aurelia oilseed rape has averaged a pleasing, albeit not spectacular, 4.3t/ha and 155ha of Penrose winter oats are currently running at 7.3t/ha, however, with very low grain weights.
Looking ahead to wheat harvest, I predict our 450ha of Zealum and Skyscraper will perform well on our heavy land, but light land and one farm that was flooded in February will drag the average back significantly.
Unfortunately, only a third of 120ha of vining peas were successfully harvested with the rest left as they were too mature.
Although we have successfully combined these in the past, recent heavy rain has left them flat to the floor, so we will instead incorporate the unharvested crop from which the following wheat will benefit.
Operationally, our harvest so far has also been quite challenging, with our five-year-old – and just out of warranty – combine suffering significant breakdowns on two occasions.
The first issue was electrical and the second, slightly more major, saw the engine’s transfer gearbox being taken away for repair, and not for the first time.
Our dealership has thankfully been able to supply a replacement combine immediately.
Luckily, and only because the operator’s bladder needed emptying, a fire was averted when the scent of smoke filled the air.
With only three fire extinguishers required, and a replacement belt, we were fortunate to have lady luck on our side.
