Anyone who has seen combines working in the USA will have noticed curious polycarbonate guards on top of the header.

These units are designed to reduce the amount of chaff and seed that escapes the table auger’s retractable fingers and are mostly made by a company called Crop Catcher. Some 4,000 of them are said to be in use around the world.

They are now available in the UK via Dutch company Pool Agri-Import, which claims that field tests in Germany have shown a reduction in oilseed rape losses from 0.5kg/ha to 3kg/ha.

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The company also says that no seeds are smashed and thrown over the back of the header, thereby almost eliminating volunteer weeds.

The unit uses a curved, transparent shield made from unbreakable polycarbonate. It is said to be UV and scratch resistant with an anti-static coating that prevents seeds, chaff and other crop residues from sticking to the screen.

It can be folded back when not in use and is available in different colours for almost all types and makes of combines and headers.

The unit is 2.47m wide and 60cm high and is fitted centrally above the feeder-house inlet with four adjustable brackets.

Cost is £795.