Quality control during corn harvest

Summary

In this video, the focus is on the quality management process during the corn harvest to ensure optimal chop quality. The importance of proper settings, such as the knife edge, shear bar, and cracker gap, is emphasized for efficient feed processing. The farmer demonstrates how they measure chop length, kernel crushing, and dry matter content for quality control, underscoring the value of consistent adjustments. Dedicated staff, along with the use of technology like telematics and sensors, are essential for maintaining quality. The video concludes with advice on maintaining optimal silage quality and maximizing farm profitability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Regular quality management is essential during corn harvest to ensure optimal chop quality and maintain feed efficiency.
• 😀 Poorly chopped kernels can negatively impact milk yield, animal health, and lead to higher feed costs.
• 😀 Preparation for corn harvest involves consulting with the harvester operator to check machine settings, including knife edge and shear bar conditions.
• 😀 Continuous monitoring of settings in the field is necessary to ensure optimal chop quality, with adjustments made as needed.
• 😀 The shred ledge card and a measuring cup are crucial tools for quality control, helping assess chop length and kernel crushing.
• 😀 The goal is to ensure that 95% of stock pieces fit through the designated openings and that kernels are finely crushed, with minimal unprocessed pieces.
• 😀 Dry matter content must be monitored regularly to make real-time adjustments to the forage harvester, ensuring accurate yields and high-quality silage.
• 😀 Taking multiple samples from different areas of the pile is necessary for representative dry matter content results.
• 😀 Assigning an employee solely for quality control during the harvest ensures accurate documentation and allows for consistent oversight of chop quality.
• 😀 Paying attention to chop quality and making necessary adjustments is more cost-effective in the long run than compromising on quality to save time or labor.

Q & A

Why is corn harvest and chop quality so important for farms?

Corn harvest and chop quality are crucial because poor processing or poorly chopped kernels negatively affect feed efficiency, milk yield, animal health, and increase feed costs. Good chop quality is essential for maintaining farm productivity and reducing operational costs.

What is the first step in preparing for corn harvesting on the farm?

The first step is consulting with the harvester operator and checking the settings. This involves ensuring the knife edge and shear bar conditions are optimal, and that the cutting length and cracker settings are correctly adjusted for the farm’s specific needs.

What tools does the farm manager use to monitor chop quality in the field?

The farm manager uses a 1-liter measuring cup, a shred ledge card or folding rule to check the chop quality. These tools help measure the chop length and the degree of kernel processing to ensure quality control.

What should the farm manager look for when checking the chopped corn?

The manager should check that 95% of the stock pieces fit through the designated openings on the shred ledge card, assess the crushing of the kernels (ensuring no whole kernels and no more than two half kernels), and ensure all kernels are finely crushed for optimal processing.

What adjustments might be necessary if the chop quality is not ideal?

If the chop quality isn’t ideal, the farm manager may need to adjust the cracker gap or reduce the chop length, especially when dry matter content exceeds 35%. This ensures the corn is processed correctly, preventing poor silage quality and energy loss.

Why is it important to measure dry matter content during corn harvesting?

Measuring dry matter content is critical because it allows for real-time adjustments to the forage harvester settings. Accurate dry matter content measurements help ensure proper silage quality, prevent energy losses, and allow for precise yield recording.

How does the farm manager use a drying oven to check dry matter content?

The farm manager weighs a certain amount of chopped corn and records the weight, then places it in a drying oven. After an hour, the weight is measured again to determine the dry matter content, which is essential for adjusting harvester settings and documenting yields.

What is the role of the employee responsible for quality control during the corn harvest?

The quality control employee is responsible for checking the chop quality of every trailer delivered and measuring the dry matter content twice an hour. This person documents the results and ensures the harvest meets the required quality standards.

How does the farm manager monitor and adjust the forage harvester settings?

The farm manager uses the class telematics system to remotely check the settings of the forage harvester. This allows for real-time consultations with the operator and adjustments to optimize chop quality and silage production.

Why might it not be cost-effective to harvest corn without a dedicated quality control person?

Though it might seem cost-effective to do the harvest without a dedicated quality control person, neglecting quality checks can lead to significant losses. A lower-quality corn harvest can cost hundreds of euros in wasted feed and reduced farm productivity, outweighing any savings from not hiring a quality control person.