Wheat harvesting: in what month and methods for determining the ripeness of the crop

Wheat harvest time varies depending on the climate of the region. At the same time, it is permissible to harvest just a few days a year. If harvested prematurely, the wheat will be immature. If it is removed too late, there is a risk of grain loss due to shedding. Harvesting can be done in a variety of ways, each with specific characteristics.

Methods for determining the maturity of wheat

The degree of maturity of wheat is affected by the moisture content in it. There are degrees:

1. Milky maturity. At the same time, the humidity parameters are at the level of 60-70%. This stage occurs 10-18 days after the start of flowering. At the same time, the grains reach pre-harvest sizes, filling the entire spike. In the case of pressure on them, a jelly-like liquid is released. During this time, the ear is poured and nutrients are accumulated.
2. Wax maturity. Humidity is 35-45%. This stage begins a couple of weeks after the completion of the stage of milk maturity. In this case, the green color of the grains changes to yellow. Greenery remains only on the furrow. The grains are well cut with nails, but do not choke. After the completion of this period, the consistency of the grains inside is similar to wax. At the same time, the foliage begins to dry out.
3. Full maturity. In this case, the humidity parameters do not exceed 12-20%. In this case, the foliage falls off, and the grains acquire a dry and hard texture and begin to crumble.

When it is usually collected from the fields

The type of crops affects the harvesting process. They are winter or spring. Also, when harvesting, it is required to take into account the climatic features of the region.

Winter

Winter wheat ripens when grain moisture parameters do not exceed 20%. If you do not finish the harvest in 3-4 days, the wheat will overripe and fall. This will cause significant losses. They can reach up to 50% of the yield.

Spring

This type of wheat should be harvested in 1-2 phases. The timing of single-phase harvesting depends on the moisture content of the grains. It should be 18-19%. In this case, the work must be completed in a maximum of 5 days. Otherwise, there is a risk of overstaying of crops, which leads to a deterioration in the properties of the crop. As a result, the vitreousness and the weight of 1000 grains are reduced. In addition, wheat is losing sowing, baking and flour-grinding characteristics.

Two-phase cleaning is carried out with an impressive infestation of plantings or their occurrence. It is required to start in the middle of wax ripeness, when the humidity parameters are 25-35%. Cleaning can be carried out 5-6 days earlier. In this case, the mowing height is 15-20 centimeters.

By regions

Wheat is harvested at different times in different regions. In the south of Russia, this is done in mid-June, and in the Central Black Earth region - in the second decade of July. In the central regions, harvesting should be carried out in August, in the Far East and Siberia - in September.

Cleaning Methods

There are several options for cleaning. Each of the methods has its own characteristics.

Direct combining

Combine is a complex agricultural machinery that allows you to perform several types of work - harvesting, threshing, sifting. The machine mows the wheat and sends it to the threshing and separating compartment. There, the plant is crushed, and the beaters knock out the grains.

Through the holes at the bottom of the grain with small debris move into the sifter. There they split up. From the threshing compartment, straw, empty spikelets and remaining grains are transferred to the straw walker. There, the straw is completely thrown into the field, and the grains fall into the bunker. From it, the crop is unloaded into machines for moving to the current and into granaries.

Direct combining is used with uniform ripening of ears on the field and a minimum number of weeds on the crops themselves. This is the most common harvest method. This method of harvesting is used if the grain moisture parameters do not exceed 15%.

The application of this method implies a single-phase work. The use of combines helps to reduce the time spent on harvesting wheat and increase its gross harvest. This contributes to process optimization.

Separate collection method

If there are a lot of weeds and perennials in the field, cereals grow too densely or have uneven maturation, harvesting should be done in a separate way. It is recommended to do this at the initial stage of wax maturity. In this case, the humidity parameters should be 30-35%. This method of harvesting wheat yields more valuable grains.

First, the crop must be mowed and formed into separate swaths. They are left on the field to dry.So that the shafts do not come into contact with the ground, it is recommended to cut the plants at a height of 15-20 centimeters from its surface. After 2-3 days, the humidity should be 17-20%. At this point, the pick-up combine should pick up the windrows and thresh them to break up the straw.

It is important to carry out all work in a timely manner. Otherwise, there is a risk of shedding grains or worsening weather. After the completion of the work, floor collectors enter the field to collect animal feed.

Single-phase harvest reception

This method is used in sunny weather or 4 hours after rain. It is considered less labor-intensive than the separate method, and helps to save a lot of money. This method is used to harvest from the seed plots of the fields, since it allows you to get more germinating seeds.

In practice, in most cases, a mixed method of harvesting wheat is used. In this case, the process begins with a separate method, but as the cereals ripen or when the weather worsens, a single-phase method is used.

Processing and further storage

After harvest, he needs to ensure proper storage. Before placing the wheat in the granary, it is recommended to dry it to a moisture content of 10-12%. At the same time, the granary itself must be disinfected. It is required to store grain in bulk.

Wheat can be harvested in many ways. For this, direct combining, a separate method, a single-phase method are used. The choice of a particular method is influenced by many factors - the uniformity of crop ripening, weather conditions, the purpose of growing wheat.

Recommended