. Agri-news. Agriculture. Phone. (403) 427-2121. a n a CO CO CO CO GO COO August 24,1992 Popularity of straight combining oats grows Straight combining oats is becoming a more common practice, and that trend will likely continue says an Alberta Agriculture specialist. "Many of the farmers who straight combine say modern weed control is a basic reason they don't need to swath," says Murray McLelland of the field crop development centre in Lacombe. Harvesting by straight combining works particularly well when the farmer has a grain drier and aeration bins he adds. "And there are a
. Agri-news. Agriculture. Phone. (403) 427-2121. a n a CO CO CO CO GO COO August 24,1992 Popularity of straight combining oats grows Straight combining oats is becoming a more common practice, and that trend will likely continue says an Alberta Agriculture specialist. "Many of the farmers who straight combine say modern weed control is a basic reason they don't need to swath," says Murray McLelland of the field crop development centre in Lacombe. Harvesting by straight combining works particularly well when the farmer has a grain drier and aeration bins he adds. "And there are a lot of advantages to straight combining, starting with economics. You eliminate the time and expense of swathing," he says. Swathing costs farmers about four to five dollars per acre. "As well, straight combining puts more bushels in the bin because you prevent swathing and pick-up grain losses," he adds. A standing oat crop will also dry faster after a rain with less kernel staining than a swathed crop. This means higher quality and lower losses for the farmer. Straight combining also has conservation benefits. "When straight combining you can leave a higher stubble, this decreases the amount of straw your combine must handle, and the higher stubble is a better snow trap. 'This snow trap is particularly beneficial if your oat crop is underseeded, because additional snow increases winter protection and spring moisture," he says. McLelland notes the few oats that may drop off prior to straight combining are usually small sized. "So this can be looked on as a sizing ; As well, when straight combining the farmer can drive around green spots in low lying areas. "Some farmers also say if the oat crop is left standing longer, before combiningand without swathing, then wild oats will mature and drop to the ground and so improve the crop quality," he says. Just as there are benefits, so are there some disadvantages McLelland adds.
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