Grab more bushels, manage residue better

<p><strong>IMPROVE STALK MANAGEMENT:</strong> The RowMax Chopping Stalk Roll available from John Deere can size residue so that 50% of the residue is 6 inches or shorter in length. It can be factory-installed as an option on new John Deere corn heads. If you want to pulverize stalks even further, opt for the RowMax StalkMaster, also an option for new corn heads. The StalkMaster, pictured to the right, leaves most of the residue in pieces less than 3 inches long, and delivers an even layer of residue across the header width. Learn more at <a href="http://johndeere.com" target="_blank">johndeere.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p><strong>SPEED UP DECOMPOSITION: </strong>Speed up residue decomposition from around 6-inch stalks left behind by original manufacturer corn heads, to 2-inch stalk pieces with a corn head from Calmer Corn Heads. New for the 2021 growing season, the company is selling Case 4000 Series 10-blade stalk rolls. Other models of the stalk-halving blades are built for John Deere 600 Series and 700 Series, Case-IH 2200/2400 Series and 3200/3400 Series and New Holland 96c/98c/996/98d. It’s lighter than a chopper, yet still effective, helping farmers reduce their horsepower requirements by about 25%. For more information, contact Calmer Corn Heads, Lynn Center, Ill., 309-629-9000; visit <a href="http://calmercornheads.com" target="_blank">calmercornheads.com</a><em>;</em> or visit the company booth at the 2020 Farm Progress virtual trade show at <a href="http://FPVExp.com" target="_blank">FPVExp.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p><strong>BETTER CUTTING SECTIONS: </strong>Crary Ag introduces the Stalk Raptor sickle section as part of its Gold’N Cut cutting system line. This new section features the same aggressive qualities of an extra-coarse cutter-bar section, plus additional precision to help cut heartier, tougher stalks. Typically, extra-coarse sections make the cut more aggressive but reduce piercing points, which drives cutting action. The Stalk Raptor section is a hybrid which excels in greener conditions but still cut well in small grains. Sections self-sharpen as they wear. Contact Crary at 800-247-7335 or visit <a href="http://crary.com/agriculture" target="_blank">crary.com/agriculture</a><em>.</em></p>

<p><strong>CUSTOMIZE YOUR THRESHING EXPERIENCE:</strong> Fine-tune your combine’s performance using helical-shaped concave inserts new from Kondex Corp. Jacob Gross, aftermarket manager, says you can use the KX7 concave kit to customize your machine. Set it to achieve aggressive threshing with improved separation at the same time. Hear Gross explain the benefits of the system during the Farm Progress Virtual Experience at <a href="http://FPVExp.com" target="_blank">FPVExp.com</a><em>; </em>click on<em> “</em>trade show,” then “exhibitor list,” then “Kondex Corp.” and then click on the video. Call Kondex at 920-269-4100 or visit <a href="http://kondex.com" target="_blank">kondex.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p><strong>GRAIN SAVER DRAPER BELTS:</strong> Note the design of the draper belt on the far right vs. the conventional design of a typical John Deere draper belt on the left. The design on the right features both horizontal and vertical deflectors, vs. the traditional belt with a smooth surface, with large ribs spaced across the belt. Notice how the plastic beads representing crop seeds are progressing down the tilted belts in each case. The Grain Saver belt is designed to save up to 25% more crop, especially when harvesting small-seed crops. It’s an option for new heads. Visit <a href="http://johndeere.com" target="_blank">johndeere.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p><strong>BRING COMBINE DISPLAY TO YOU:</strong> Elliot Riecke, a product manager for John Deere, illustrates how someone in the farm office or a dealership could see what the combine operator sees in real time. What’s displaying on the monitor is coming from the John Deere X9 Combine operating about 500 feet away in the field behind him. It’s possible through John Deere’s new Connect Mobile Harvest. In conjunction with Combine Advisor with ActiveVision Cameras, an automatic option for setting the combine, this new feature can alert someone to possible problems before they happen. Visit <a href="http://johndeere.com" target="_blank">johndeere.com</a><em>.</em></p>