Completed Project Report


Helping Producers design Low-cost, Low-risk Grain Harvesting Systems

  • Award Amount: $30,489
  • Regional Center: North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2006 Human Resource Risk Grants

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Project Overview

Corn/soybean farmers have large investments in grain harvesting, handling and drying systems. The various components need to be properly sized to prevent harvesting bottlenecks. Variable weather conditions contribute to the risk of late harvesting and loss of grain quantity and quality. However, excess capacity causes higher than necessary ownership costs. Educational materials and harvesting simulation software will be developed to help producers compare the costs and capacity of their current systems to alternative systems and ownership arrangements.

Joint ownership of harvesting equipment also offers potential cost savings for small and medium sized operators, but also involves several types of human and legal risks. A joint ownership manual will be prepared that addresses human resource risk issues related to legal structures, cost allocations, scheduling, trading machinery and terminating agreements. Case studies will be included. Delivery will be through workshops, Internet and regional publications.

Number of Participants: 153

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

There are no promotional materials available for this project.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

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REPORTS & EVALUATIONS

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DELIVERY AREA

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