Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day Set for September 26 in Lenawee County

By Eric Anderson

Reducing soybean harvest losses is an easy and effective way to increase soybean yields by 1 to 2 bushels per acre and income by $10.80 to $21.60 per acre in 2024. The 14th annual Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day on Sept. 26, 2024, will provide participants with information and educational materials about reducing soybean harvest losses. Farmers, agribusiness professionals, agency staff and those interested in agriculture are welcome to attend. Equipment company representatives will discuss specific recommendations for fine-tuning their combines. The following topics and equipment will be demonstrated or presented: 

• Draper heads 
• Auger heads 
• Air-assisted reels 
• Harvest loss measurements 
• Harvest recommendations 
• Common harvest errors 

A demonstration of desiccation as an aid to soybean harvest is planned. Michigan State University Extension field crop weed specialist Christy Sprague will discuss desiccating soybeans and give a sneak peek at research being conducted in her lab. A representative from Drexel Chemical, manufacturer of the desiccant Defol 5, has donated product for the demonstration and will be onsite for questions. 

Check-in is at 10 a.m. with presentations beginning at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided free of charge. The afternoon will consist of demonstrations of soybean harvest representing a wide range of equipment manufacturers and technologies. A field with early maturing soybeans will be harvested alongside a field with a later-maturing variety that will be desiccated seven to 10 days prior to harvest. The day will conclude by 3 p.m. 

Pre-registration is required by Sept. 19 to reserve a meal. Walk-ins will be accepted but lunch is not guaranteed. You can register online or call the St. Joseph County Extension office at 269-467-5511 for assistance.

Cost is free due to generous funding from the Michigan Soybean Committee. Event sponsors include EGA Inc., John Deere - Hutson, Redline Equipment, Burnips Equipment, Drexel Chemical, A3 AWS Airbar Systems, Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan State University Extension. Two restricted use pesticide (RUP) and four certified crop adviser (CCA) credits have been requested. 

Be sure your email and cell phone are correct when you register and check both in the days leading up to the event should it need to be postponed due to weather, delayed crop development, etc. 

Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Eric Anderson at 269-359-0565 two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.