What Causes Grain Loss After Harvesting, and Where to Check?

When you find grain on the ground after the harvester has passed, first work out whether it had already shattered before harvest or was lost during harvesting. Looking at where and how the grain lies helps pinpoint the cause.

1. Check the crop before the machine goes in

Check unharvested areas for grain that was already on the ground, along with lodging and ripeness. Collect data from several spots with similar conditions for comparison.

2. Identify the type of loss

Look at whether it’s uncut stalks, grain still attached to panicles in the straw, or loose grain mixed with material discharged from the machine. This tells you whether to check the cutting, threshing, or separation and cleaning stage next.

3. Record before changing settings

Note the rice variety, moisture, lodging, working speed and what you observed, and send it with photos to the machine operator or technician to check against the manual. When testing adjustments, change one factor at a time and compare under similar field conditions.

Only take samples and inspect parts when the machine is safely parked, the engine is off and all moving parts have stopped. If losses continue, have a technician check the condition of the parts together with the machine settings.