Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day postponement date set
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EmailThe field day, which was postponed due to crop progress and weather issues, is now set for Tuesday, Sept. 29. Online registration is extended through Thursday, Sept. 24.
The weather in the Charlotte area this September has not been kind to us…or the soybean crop! Cool and wet weather slowed crop progress and introduced uncertainty that forced the postponement of the Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day twice. However, the date has now been set for Tuesday, Sept. 29, and we should have good drying weather this week to get the crop ready. Though equipment dealers have had to make a few adjustments, all other plans for the event will be unchanged.
Registration has been extended through Thursday, Sept. 24. Please sign up for this free event online at the link below. Please include a good email address and phone number and monitor those in the days leading up to Sept. 29.
Register for the Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day
Reducing soybean harvest losses is an easy and effective way to increase soybean yields by 1 to 2 bushels per acre and income by $11.40 to $22.80 per acre in 2026. This field day will provide participants with information and educational materials about reducing soybean harvest losses. There will also be a presentation on options for adding or upgrading monitor equipment on your farm. Farmers, agribusiness professionals, agency staff and those interested in agriculture are welcome to attend. Equipment company representatives will discuss specific recommendations for fine-tuning their combines. The following topics and equipment will be demonstrated or presented:
- Draper heads
- Auger heads
- Air-assisted reels
- Harvest recommendations
- Harvest loss measurements
- Common harvest errors
Agenda
Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. A clinic on combine maintenance will follow introductions. Attendees will select which concurrent clinic to attend based on the brands and models used on their farms. Clinics will include a thorough walk-around and discussion with plenty of time for Q&A. A presentation on adding or upgrading monitor displays will be given before lunch, which will be provided free of charge.
The afternoon will consist of a short drive down the road for demonstrations of soybean harvest representing a wide range of equipment manufacturers and technologies. The day will conclude by 3 p.m.
This event has been offered free to attendees over the years due to generous support from the Michigan Soybean Committee. Farmers, agribusiness professionals, agency staff, and those interested in agriculture are welcome to attend.
Credits
One restricted use pesticide and four certified crop adviser credits have been approved.
Registration
Pre-registration is required by Sept. 24 to reserve a meal. Walk-ins will be accepted but lunch is not guaranteed. Register online or call the St. Joseph County Extension office at 269-467-5511 for assistance.
Register for the Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day
Cost
Cost is free due to generous funding from event sponsors, the Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan State University Extension.
Sponsors
Hutson Inc., Janson Equipment Co., Burnips Equipment Co., Williams Farm Machinery, Farm Depot, Indian Creek Ag, Caledonia Farmers Elevator, Drexel Chemical Co., Michigan Soybean Committee, and Michigan State University Extension. Special thanks to Gary Parr for hosting the event and harvest demonstration plots.
Communication
Be sure your email and cell phone are correct when you register and check both in the days leading up to the event should it need to be postponed due to weather.
Contact Eric Anderson (eander32@msu.edu or 269-359-0565) with questions about the event.