Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day to be held in Eaton County on September 15
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EmailSoybean farmers looking to learn about getting their equipment ready for harvest and how to avoid header losses are invited to attend this annual event.
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. The Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, 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.
The field day will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Parr Farms, 1966 N. Clinton Trail (M-50), Charlotte, MI 48813.
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.
Credits
One restricted use pesticide and four certified crop adviser credits have been approved.
Registration
Pre-registration is required by Sept. 8 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. The postponement date is Sept. 22, 2026.
Contact Eric Anderson (eander32@msu.edu or 269-359-0565) or Madelyn Celovsky (celovsk2@msu.edu or 248-385-7886) with questions about the event.