By Scout Nelson
While combines excel at harvesting crop grain, they accidentally play a role in transporting weed seeds. At harvest time, fields might have weeds bearing seeds. These tiny seeds find their way into various parts of the combine, as demonstrated in referenced figures. This emphasizes the importance of cleaning combines, especially when moving between fields.
Professor Eric Jones and team point out the potential future trouble these seeds can cause. Each seed left behind could become a troublesome weed in subsequent growing seasons. Therefore, proactive removal of these seeds means fewer weeds to manage later.
Cleaning is not just about sweeping off the easy parts. Some areas require compressed air or water. It's crucial not to overlook soil, which might also harbor seeds. But cleaning is only half the task.
The residues, potentially laden with seeds, must be properly contained and disposed of. This ensures the seeds won't become a problem in neighboring fields.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-mvburling
Categories: South Dakota, Crops