Measurement of Combine Losses for Corn and Soybeans in Brazil

Abstract. Harvest losses were determined for combines harvesting soybeans and corn in Brazil. Estimated soybean yields adjusted to 13% moisture ranged from 2663 to 4861 kg/ha. Pre-harvest losses ranged from 1.0 to 13.6 kg/ha. Total soybean combine losses ranged from 47.4 to 260.5 kg/ha (1.2% to 5.5% of yield). The headers were the largest contributors to losses with 31 to 247 kg/ha. Shatter losses were the primary cause of losses in the headers and they increased markedly as harvest moistures decreased below 13%. A reduction in ground speed would have enabled soybean cutterbars to run closer to the ground and reduce stubble losses. An achievable reduction in combine harvest losses of 120 kg/ha (2 bags/ha) has an operator hourly value of USD $238 to $277/h.

Estimated corn yield adjusted to 14% moisture ranged from 6,937 to 11,044 kg/ha. Pre-harvest ear losses ranged from 0 to 42 kg/ha. Total corn combine losses ranged from 36.2 to 320.6 kg/ha (0.3% to 3.6% of yield). Of this loss, header ear loss accounted for the largest portion with 0 to 237 kg/ha. Reduction in ground speed would benefit separation losses in corn. But not surprisingly, lodged corn can increase header ear losses by more than any other source of loss.