With fall quickly approaching, we all have harvest on the mind.  One thing to keep on that mind this fall is the often overlooked yield monitor calibration.  Calibration is not only critical to get accurate yield readings on the monitor, but has major implications for using that data in the future in other applications.  If you are using a data analysis program like Ag Partners Advanced Yield Systems, yield monitor calibration is a requirement to participate.

Each company and model will vary in how the calibration procedure is carried out, but here are some general guidelines to follow to get good calibrations set on the monitor.

1. Calibrate early, preferably on the first load after the field is opened up.
2. Pick areas of fields that are fairly consistent to calibrate the monitor.
3. Calibrate 3 times at 3 load levels (usually at 3 speeds, one mph below normal, one at normal mph, and one mph above normal)
4. If you are using your grain cart as a scale, make sure that is calibrated as well.
5. Combine at least 50 bushels of grain during each calibration.
6. In corn, calibrate for each significant difference you have in grain quality.  Normal benchmarks are every 5 pts. of moisture or every 5 lb. of Test Weight to warrant re-calibration.
7. In soybeans, usually only one calibration is necessary at the beginning of harvest, unless you get into some very dry soybeans.

Ag Partners agronomists are available to help this fall with calibrations and weigh wagons.  Call if you would like assistance!