Procedures prevent black-grass spread

Cleaning machinery at harvest can, understandably, fall by the wayside as pressure mounts. But failing to find the time to blow-down the combine, bailer, trailer and other machinery can spread black-grass between fields and increase production costs for years to come.

ASF spoke with Philip Wright, independent crop consult, and Ed Ford, a cereal grower in Essex about making the process practical when the pressure is on.

For me it's about having a procedure that becomes second nature, says Philip.

Attention to detail is massively important. It's hard when there's too much to do and not enough time, but in the long-term preventing the spread of black-grass at harvest will save tens, if not, hundreds of man- and machinery hours.

'Being thorough' is the number one piece of advice from Ed.

Allow time at the end of the day to blow down the combine; there are two benefits. One, it stops dew from sticking the dust and debris to the machinery overnight, making the job harder come the morning. And two, having showered and dressed for the day, getting covered in dust first thing and having to sit in it is miserable.

Take off all the guards, start at the top and spend a good ten minutes getting the majority of the debris off. Then go back to the top and take the time to thoroughly blow-down.