Nybo: Stripper Header and Extended Header Losses – Potential Fit for Oilseed Growers

Date: April 2006
Term: 1 year
Status: Completed
Researcher(s): Bryan Nybo, Wheatland Conservation Area Inc., Swift Current
SaskCanola Investment: $15,000
Total Project Cost: $15,000
Funding Partners: n/a

Project Summary

In a one-year project conducted by the Wheatland Conservation Area at Swift Current in 2005, researchers evaluated straight cutting Brassica Juncea, Argentine canola, and Oriental mustard using three different headers, including a rigid straight cut header, a stripper header, and a BISO header extension. The study results showed that header losses were high in the canola, mustard, and juncea when the stripper header was used and lowest when the BISO extended header was used. The ridged straight cut header had higher losses than the BISO header, however, not near as much as the stripper header. The differences were most evident in the Argentine canola, followed by the juncea, then oriental mustard.

Oilseed crops have become a major industry in southwest Saskatchewan however these crops are not grown without risk. Proper management tools are essential to minimize potential risks and ensure maximum profits for producers. If feasible, producers would prefer to straight cut their oilseed crops as eliminating the swathing operation saves time at harvest or eliminates the need for a custom swathing operation. More and more producers are looking at alternative headers for their speed, efficiency, and ease of operation, and profitability.

In a one-year project conducted by the Wheatland Conservation Area at Swift Current in 2005, researchers evaluated straight cutting Brassica Juncea, Argentine canola, and Oriental mustard using three different headers, including a rigid straight cut header, a stripper header, and a BISO header extension. The objective of the study was to provide information on harvest losses and yield from the different headers.

The project included large scale plots (header width x 200ft) replicated 4 times to compare straight cutting against a stripper header and an extended header. Three different oilseed crops were compared, including Brassica Juncea, Oriental Mustard and Polish Canola. Harvest losses and yield were measured for each plot.

The study results showed that header losses were high in the canola, mustard, and juncea when the stripper header was used and lowest when the BISO extended header was used. The ridged straight cut header had higher losses than the BISO header, however, not near as much as the stripper header. The differences were most evident in the Argentine canola, followed by the juncea, then oriental mustard.

Figure 2. Brassica yields with different header optionsResearchers determined early that the stripper header was not a viable harvesting tool in canola, mustard, and juncea even though other studies indicate it has the potential to be a premium header in cereals, flax, and lentils. Header losses were low with the header extension. Header extensions move the cutter bar forward about 18 inches on a stepped platform to reduce cutter bar losses. With the reel set back 18 inches from the cutter bar, mechanical shattering is caught by the stepped platform (catch plate) and not lost. Since crops like canola branch out from the main stem, crop feeding is not an issue, even though the reel is set back from the cutter bar.

In the study, when the header extension was used, the results showed a yield increase of 2.6 bushels per acre in Argentine canola, 1.6 bushels per acre in Brassica juncea, and 0.7 bushels per acre in Oriental mustard compared to yields from the rigid straight cut header. This translates into a 9.4% increase in canola and juncea, and a 3.9% increase in mustard.

This study will be further enhanced with more years of data representing different harvest conditions. As well, looking at additional options for straight cutting oilseeds, such as the drapper style header, will give producers more options to consider when making future plans and capitol investments.

Full Report PDF: n/a