4 tools to check harvest losses

Setting the combine to put more canola in the tank and leave less on the field is one way to improve canola profits. In preparation to measure harvest losses, have these four little tools at the ready:

1. Drop pan. Buy one or make your own. Whether using a full-width pan that drops from the bottom of the combine with a magnetic release, or a drop pan tossed under the passing combine or a pan on a stick, the key is to have a pan and a plan to use it. Know its square footage to help with the tables.

2. Sieves to separate seed from chaff. A set of the round sieves that elevators use are ideal. Another option is to use a deep pail and small blower (like a hair dryer) to blow the chaff off. Or just shake the sample and hand-pick the chaff.

3. Loss measures. Use a beaker to measure volume or a small container and scale to measure weight of the collected loss.

4. App or tables to do conversions. Print off this guide or use the tool from canolacalculator.ca.