While combines roll through fields across the Midwest, farmers have a unique opportunity to lay the groundwork for next season’s success.
“Harvest your crop, spread residue — and most importantly, be safe while you’re doing it,” says David Hula, Charles City, Va., farmer and reigning world-record corn yield holder.
Hula says one of the first steps to building next year’s yield happens right now, inside the combine.
Harvest your crop, spread residue — and most importantly, be safe while you’re doing it.”
Residue Distribution: A Critical First Step
When the combine moves through the field, the final step is residue distribution. It’s easy to overlook, but Hula stresses its importance.
In wheat fields, residue might be baled and concentrated in the center. But in most Midwest and Southeast no-till or minimum-till systems, residue should be evenly spread across the entire header width.
Modern combines make it easier to fine-tune residue patterns. With the push of a button, operators can adjust distribution to 80% or 100%, or account for wind direction to keep residue where it belongs.
“We want to move that residue and spread it out whatever the airheader width is,” Hula explains. “If the wind’s blowing, we can push more upwind and not as much downwind.”
Chopping vs. Spreading: Tailor the Strategy to the Crop
Hula emphasizes different strategies depending on the crop residue:
- Corn stalks: Don’t overwork the knives. The goal is to spread residue uniformly, not necessarily chop it finely.
- Soybeans and small grains: Chop residue into smaller pieces and spread them in a uniform pattern to promote better breakdown and avoid residue piles.
If the combine must stop mid-field, Hula suggests backing up slowly to prevent creating a trash pile behind the machine — which can cause emergence problems later.
“We want to move that residue and spread it out whatever airheader width is.”
Uniform Emergence Is the Payoff
Residue piles can block sunlight, trap moisture unevenly and create cold spots in the seedbed. The result? Uneven germination and reduced yield potential.
For example, if soybeans follow corn, leftover piles of stalks can delay soybean emergence, hurting stand uniformity and yields. Adjusting residue spreaders and choppers properly can prevent these issues long before spring planting.
Tools and Technology Make It Easier
Hula notes OEM combine manufacturers and aftermarket companies offer tools to optimize residue distribution. Whether through automated adjustments or simple add-ons, growers can improve residue spread without sacrificing combine power.
“Make sure your spreader is doing all that it possibly can without taking too much power away,” he advises.
Bottom Line for Building Yield Next Spring
Farmers don’t have to wait until winter meetings or spring field prep to focus on yield. The combine itself is a yield-building machine when used strategically. Fine-tuning residue management today helps ensure uniform emergence and stronger yields next year.
For more yield-building insights from David Hula and other top growers, visit the Farm Journal TV app under Breaking Barriers with R&D.
