High-quality harvesting of corn from the field for grain, silage and cobs
According to agronomic standards, maize is harvested in different ways. Each of them has its own technology and depends on the purpose of growing the crop. It is usually sown for grain, silage or ears. To get a bountiful harvest, it is necessary to correctly establish the stage of ripeness of corn and the timing of harvest.
Maturation stages
The wax stage occurs when the grains acquire a light yellow color and medium density. White liquid no longer comes out of them, and when pressed, dents remain. Over time, the seeds undergo dramatic changes. The sugar components are converted into starch and the liquid into firm pulp.
At the last stage of ripening, the corn seeds have a rich yellow or orange color. The leaf plates take on a light brown hue, begin to dry and easily detach from the cob.
Each stage of corn ripening has its own moisture rate. Milk ripeness - 58%, wax - 35%, full - 26%.
Harvesting landmarks
One of the main advantages of a grain crop is its high yield. On average, from 1 hectare harvested from 7 to 10 tons of quality product. It is actively used in the food industry and farming. The crop is sown around the end of April and beginning of May, taking into account the climatic conditions of the growing area.
And the timing of harvesting corn for grain is determined by the following criteria:
- biological stage of maturity;
- acceptable humidity level;
- harvesting method;
- weather.
Deviation from these factors often leads to loss of yield. Moreover, unripe grain requires special storage technology. If its moisture content exceeds 25-30%, special drying rooms are built. And all this requires additional material costs. An important aspect is also the optimal period when corn for grain is harvested from the fields, silage or the cob. There are several landmarks.
On the territory of the southern latitudes, where autumn is relatively warm and without precipitation, farmers are waiting for the complete drying of the culture. As a result, grain containing only 15% moisture is already ready for storage. However, this option leads to loss of yield. Indeed, by this time the plants sag due to the fruits or lay down on the ground. In addition, the ears crack, losing precious grain.
In the northern regions, the climate of which is characterized by short summers and early autumn, they try not to delay the harvesting of crops. Otherwise, it will suffer from frost or the "rainy season" will begin. Because of this, the grain can lose germination and feed value.
If there is a black dot in the fruit at the place where the grains are attached to the cob, then the culture is fully ripe.
Harvesting corn for grain
There are two harvesting technologies for the "queen of the fields". The first option is to cut the whole cob. It is used even when the moisture level of the cobs is about 40%. Such grain is harvested for food needs and as a seed. The second method is suitable for fruits with a moisture content of up to 30%.The resulting product is used for feeding birds and animals.
And what is used to harvest corn for grain from vast agricultural lands? As a rule, farmers use trailed corn-harvesting equipment with two types of headers: stream and platform.
The unit works according to this scheme:
- stalks and ears are cut at the same time;
- shoots are separated from seed fruits;
- the grain is thoroughly cleaned;
- the finished mass is collected in a separate part of the machine.
The most popular trailed corn harvesters are KKP-3, TORNADO-80, Khersonets-7. No less popular and self-propelled units of the Khersonets-200 brand KSKU-6A. In addition, Chinese manufacturers offer 4YZ-3F mini-harvesters. Farmers use standard headers as additional adapters. They are usually supplied with grain harvesters.
Cobs are suitable for harvesting crops with a combine, in which only 1-5% of damaged seeds are observed.
Harvesting corn for silage
When a crop is at the dairy stage or at the beginning of the waxy stage of maturation, it contains a number of valuable components necessary for the growth and development of livestock.
Since the cobs are covered with green foliage, and the moisture content of the grains reaches 70%, corn for silage is harvested using this technology.:
- first, they mow the edge of the field along the entire perimeter;
- cross swaths are made for equipment every 500 m;
- calculate the size of the pens, which should be 10 times less than the length of the field.
Trailed combines KS-1.8 or KSS-2.6 are used for business. The self-propelled KSK-100 unit is also suitable. The principle of operation of the equipment complies with the standards of silage harvesting. The losses are only 1.5%. The soil does not get into the green mass. The particle size of the plant is from 2 to 4 cm. Shoots are cut at a height of about 15-20 cm. The finished silage is transported to a special site by tractors or cars.
Thanks to fine cutting, a product is obtained that is wonderfully compact and has a longer shelf life.
Harvesting corn on the cob
In home gardens, the crop is often grown as pet food. However, young cobs are used in cooking. They are usually picked by hand.
The ripeness of the fruit is determined by the signs:
- grains have a pale yellow tint;
- juice flows out of them when pressed;
- the leaves are tightly pressed to the cob and break off with difficulty.
On spacious fields, harvesting of corn on the cob begins after the fruit is fully ripe. Ripe specimens are inclined in the opposite direction from the stem. Dry hairs are colored brown. If they are reddish and moist to the touch, then the corn is not yet ripe. The ear seeds are firm and do not excrete any liquid. Most often, whole fruits are harvested to obtain planting material.
For harvesting corn, the time is chosen when the weather is clear, dry. As a rule, a special technique is used that removes dry foliage and hair from the cobs.
The cleaned corn is transported first to open areas and then to a well ventilated storage facility. If the fruits are harvested ahead of time, they may become moldy. Therefore, they are dried in special rooms.
Some varieties of crops, after biological maturation, lean towards the soil. Such specimens are difficult to remove even with modern technology. The problem is solved with the help of workers who collect the cobs by hand. To avoid such problems, corn varieties with a resistant stem are initially selected.
Harvest storage methods
After successful harvesting of corn, the resulting grain or ears must be protected from various pathogenic organisms. Feed grain is stored in bulk in warehouses or special bunkers. The height is determined depending on the size of the room. The main thing is that the workers can control the quality of the grain.
Silage is stored in special trenches or towers. At the same time, the temperature indicators of the upper and lower layers are constantly monitored.Otherwise, condensation will form, which can spoil the entire product.
The ears are kept in a dry room with powerful ventilation. The average humidity in it does not exceed 15%. The maximum height of the heap is approximately 1.5 m. Before sending the cobs for storage, they are carefully sorted out. Spoiled specimens and herbs are removed.
As you can see, harvesting corn requires a wise approach. An important role is played by the degree of ripening and the end use of the product. The spacious plantations are harvested using modern technology. At home, the work is done manually. The harvested crop is stored according to agronomic rules.