Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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RESIDUE MANAGEMENT BEGINS AT HARVEST
Uniformly distributing residue behind combines and other harvest equipment is important in
residue management, according to John Smith, machinery systems engineer for
Cooperative Extension in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. "Residue remaining after harvest can
help control soil erosion and water runoff," said Smith. "However, it should be evenly
distributed over a field or it can cause problems," he added.
Some problems that may occur when the crop residue is not evenly distributed include:
1. Weed seed or grain lost through harvest equipment is concentrated and can be more
difficult to control later than uniformly distributed weeds or grains.
2. Heavy concentrations or windrows can plug tillage implements, planters, seeders or
some chemical application equipment.
3. Concentrated residue can provide a home for insects and rodents and encourage
disease.
4. Base areas between windrows are subject to erosion by wind and water.
5. Too much crop residue directly over an emerging plant can cause plant injury and
reduced yield.
6. Heavy concentrations of crop residue shield the sun from the soil surface, which may
reduce soil temperature and seedling emergence.
"Combines equipped with residue spreading accessories will provide uniform distribution,
even with 12-row crop headers or 30 foot wide grain platforms," said Smith. "High speed
straw choppers with properly adjusted deflector panels or straw spreaders can distribute
residue uniformly," he added. "Nearly half the residue which passes through a combine for
some crops is comprised of fine material or chaff falling from the chaffer," said Smith. He
recommends using a chaff spreader, particularly with wide combine headers.
Roger Kanable, Soil Conserv-ation Service agronomist in Lincoln, Nebraska, also
encouraged producers with residue management in their conservation plan to consider the
crop variety planted, especially for small grains. Kanable said a tall variety will provide
more residue than a shorter variety. Conversely, if there is too much residue and
distribution is a problem, select a short growing variety. "Proper selection, maintenance,
and operation of a combine straw and chaff spreading equipment can provide uniform
residue distribution in both row crops and small grains," said Smith. "Uniform distribution
will provide maximum erosion protection and avoid problems with uneven distribution," he
added.
