Harvest · September 2025 · 5 min read
Wheat harvest timing directly affects grain quality, test weight, and your bottom line. Cutting too early means high drying costs, while waiting too long invites weathering damage and pre-harvest sprouting. Understanding moisture targets and test weight factors helps you make the best harvest decisions.
The ideal harvest moisture for wheat is 13.5% or below, which is the standard for safe storage without additional drying. Test weight should meet or exceed 60 lb/bu for U.S. No. 1 grade wheat. Grain harvested above 13.5% moisture requires mechanical drying, adding $0.03–0.06 per bushel per point of moisture removed.
Monitor test weight throughout the harvest day, as it can fluctuate with humidity. Early morning harvest often yields slightly lower test weights due to dew absorption.
The falling number test measures alpha-amylase enzyme activity, which increases when kernels begin to sprout. A falling number below 300 seconds indicates sprouting damage that reduces flour quality and grain value. Extended periods of rain on mature wheat are the primary cause.
Once wheat drops below 20% moisture, it is vulnerable to weathering. Each rain event on mature wheat can reduce test weight by 1–3 lb/bu and lower falling numbers. A common strategy is to begin cutting at 16–18% moisture when extended rain is forecast, accepting drying costs to preserve quality.
Balance timeliness against drying expense by prioritizing fields with the most mature grain and those in low-lying areas prone to lodging.
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