Drought stress, combined with uneven emergence and development problems, has resulted in smaller than normal ears, and a greater percentage of “nubbin” ears in many Ohio corn fields.

In some fields, plants are shorter than normal with reduced ear heights. Debris deposited by late season flooding in parts of NW and NC Ohio will make harvesting more difficult, as will dust associated with soiled plants. As a result of these conditions, some combine and harvesting adjustments may be necessary.

The following are management suggestions from ag engineers and equipment specialists on harvesting drought damaged crops.

1. Review the operator’s manual for suggestions on harvesting a “light crop”.
2. With short or lodged corn, run the gathering snouts and chains low. Watch for stones, logs and other debris, and be sure stone protective devises are working.
3. Drive carefully and at normal speeds to avoid excessive harvest loss and machine damage from stones.
4. For small ears, set stalk rolls and snapping plates closer than normal to snap off a higher percentage of ears. Do not attempt to snap off barren cobs.
5. If clean shelling is a problem, increase cylinder speed slightly, and if necessary, decrease concave clearance. With a rotary machine, check rotary concave clearance. Avoid excessive damage to kernels from good ears.
6. If cleaning losses are high, open the chaffer and chaffer extension slightly.
7. Initially decrease the amount of air from the cleaning fan. If cleaning becomes a problem, increase the fan blast, and close the lower sieve slightly.
8. Be alert to changes in weather and crop conditions, and make adjustments as necessary.

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