Crop loss during harvest is a significant but often overlooked issue in modern agriculture. Many farmers are unaware of the true extent of their losses, which can have a substantial impact on your bottom line. In this article we’ll explore this problem and how tools like the ScherGain Solution System can help address it.
The Hidden Problem of Crop Loss
During the harvesting process, combines inevitably lose some grain. However, the amount of loss can vary greatly depending on various factors, including combine settings, crop conditions, and operator skill. Without accurate measurement, you may be losing far more than you realize.
Consider this: losing just 2 bushels per acre of $10 canola on a 2,000-acre farm equates to $40,000 in lost revenue. This loss often goes unnoticed because it’s spread across a large area and mixed with crop residue.
Why You Are Losing More Than You Think
Several factors contribute to higher-than-expected crop losses:
- Inaccurate Loss Monitors: Many combines have built-in loss monitors, but these are often uncalibrated or inaccurate.
- Varying Crop Conditions: As crop conditions change throughout the day or across fields, optimal combine settings may need adjustment.
- Speed vs. Efficiency Trade-off: You may prioritize covering ground quickly over minimizing losses, not realizing the financial impact of your decision.
- Lack of Quantifiable Data: Without an easy way to measure losses, you can’t make informed decisions about combine settings.
The Importance of Accurate Measurement
To address crop loss effectively, you need a reliable way to quantify your losses. This is where tools like the ScherGain Solution System come into play. This system provides a simple, quick method for measuring combine losses accurately.
How the ScherGain Solution System Works
The ScherGain system uses a drop pan that attaches to any combine using electromagnetic mounts. During operation, you can remotely drop the pan to collect a sample of straw and chaff. This sample is then cleaned and measured using the provided gauge, allowing you to determine your loss in bushels per acre within minutes.
Benefits of Accurate Loss Measurement
- Informed Decision-Making: With precise loss figures, you can make data-driven decisions about combine settings.
- Increased Profitability: By minimizing losses, you can significantly increase your harvested yield without increasing input costs.
- Improved Efficiency: Regular measurements allow you to optimize your harvesting process continuously.
- Better Calibration: The measured loss provides a concrete number for calibrating the combine’s loss monitor.
Crop loss during harvest is a more significant problem than many realize. Without accurate measurement, it’s impossible to know the true extent of these losses or how to address them effectively. Tools like the ScherGain Solution System offer a practical way to quantify and minimize these losses, potentially saving thousands of dollars in lost yield.
As Pat Sherman, the inventor of the ScherGain system, aptly puts it: “If you can quantify your losses, then you can start to manage your combine decisions. Calibrating your combine may be the most money you can make per hour farming.”
By understanding and addressing crop loss, you can significantly improve your bottom line without increasing your planted acreage or input costs. It’s not just about growing the crop; it’s about ensuring as much of it as possible makes it into the bin.
Talk to one of our sales representatives about the ScherGain Solution System at 1-855-612-7006.