This post is a little bit different because all of the footage that you get to see is from inside of the corn combine, which is the harvesting machine. Instead of being an observer from the outside, it will be as if you are riding on the corn combine with the combine driver!
Table of Contents
What is a Corn Combine Harvester?
The corn is harvested using a combine harvesting machine. In this particular case, they are using a Case IH 8230. The combine is able to rip the ears of corn off of the plant and spit out all unwanted materials and retain the corn kernels. The kernels are stored in the machine, and the rest of the corn plants (and any additional weeds) remain in the field.
Once the combine is full of kernels, it goes to the trailers on the side of the field to transfer the kernels into the trailers. The contracted harvester (that runs the harvesting machine) is paid per harvested weight by the grower.
Why Harvest Using a Corn Combine?
Corn is harvested using a corn combine when it is going to be processed for human consumption. In this case, the corn will be used to make tortillas and tortilla chips. This same harvesting process is used for all different colors of corn, including the white, yellow and blue chips and tortillas. Below, you can see an example of the blue corn when it is ready to harvest.
Moisture Content for Processed Corn
It makes sense to harvest the corn using machinery since the corn is destined for processing. This harvesting process differs from what you have seen previously for when fresh corn is harvested, as well as corn that is used to produce corn silage for dairy cows. The corn harvested to produce corn silage is also machine harvested, but different harvesting machinery is used because the machines are harvesting corn with significantly different moisture contents.
Compared to the corn that is machine harvested for corn silage, the moisture content of this corn is significantly lower (approximately between 12-15% moisture content at the time of harvest). The corn is harvested at a lower moisture percentage when harvested for processed corn because the processors want a greater starch content.
Harvesting Corn Using a Corn Combine Video
Click on the video below to see the entire harvesting process when using a corn combine.
Issues with Johnson Grass
As you can see in the video above, there are some issues during the harvesting process where the corn combine can get stuck. This is not an issue with the corn combine, but rather, an issue with growing organic corn. This season, the grower had issues with the Johnson Grass weed in the corn field that caused a bit of a nuisance during the harvesting process.
Featured Grower Information
I would like to thank Crivelli Farms for the tour and for allowing the gathered content to be shared. Crivelli Farms is a grower that is located in Los Banos, California, and in addition to corn, they also grow melons, cotton, pomegranates, alfalfa and much more!
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