Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day 2024

Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

3308 S. Blissfield Highway, Lenawee County
Blissfield, MI 49228
GPS Coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MA7ZWb68ExkcXEXr8

Reducing soybean harvest losses is an easy and effective way to increase soybean yields by one to two bushels per acre and income by $10.80 to $21.60 per acre in 2024. This field day will provide participants with information and educational materials about reducing soybean harvest losses. Equipment company representatives will discuss specific recommendations for fine-tuning their combines and the following topics and equipment will be demonstrated or presented.

• Draper heads
• Harvest loss measurements
• Auger heads
• Harvest recommendations
• Air-assisted reels 
• Common harvest errors

We are also planning to demonstrate soybean desiccation as an aid to soybean harvest with a portion of the field planted to a later-maturing variety that will be desiccated 1-2 weeks prior to the event. MSU Extension field crop weed specialist Dr. Christy Sprague will also give a presentation on the practice of desiccating soybeans and a sneak peek at research being conducted in her lab.

The event has been offered free to attendees over the years due to the generous support from the Michigan Soybean Committee. Farmers, agribusiness professionals, agency staff, and those interested in agriculture are welcome to attend.

AGENDA: The day will begin at 10 a.m. with check-in, and a presentation on soybean desiccation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided free of charge. The afternoon will consist of demonstrations of soybean harvest representing a wide range of equipment manufacturers and technologies including a discussion of harvest losses and how to fine-tune the equipment.  The day will conclude by 3 p.m.

CREDITS: 2 RUP, 3.5 CCA

COST: Cost is FREE due to generous funding from the Michigan Soybean Committee

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration is required by Sept. 19th to reserve a meal.  Walk-ins will be accepted but lunch is not guaranteed.

SPONSORS: EGA Inc., John Deere - Hutson, Redline Equipment, Burnips Equipment, Drexel Chemical, AcuSpray – Blissfield, A3 AWS Airbar Systems, Michigan Soybean Committee, and Michigan State University Extension

COMMUNICATION:  The field day is planned for Sept. 26, but should it need to be postponed due to weather, delayed crop development, etc., we will contact everyone who has pre-registered with updates. Please be sure your email and cell phone are correct when you register and check both in the days leading up to the event.