How to Harvest Wheat
Wheat is the main ingredient in most pastas, breads, cookies and crackers. Harvesting wheat is a race against the weather. The farmer must know when and how to harvest to get the best crop. Learn how to harvest wheat with optimum results.
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Instructions
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Check to see if the wheat is mature enough to harvest. Wheat is usually harvested from spring to early summer, depending on the weather. To test the crop, rub the wheat head between your fingers and chew on a piece of grain. If the grain cracks in your mouth and becomes soft as you chew, it is ready to be harvested.
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Prepare a place for your harvested wheat before you begin the harvest. If you plan to keep it on the farm, choose a location away from livestock that is weather resistant. Clear away anything that is left over from the last crop that was stored in the area. Keep the area cool and dry to maintain the wheat's freshness and keep away pests.
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Adjust the combine that you use to harvest the wheat. Read the owners' manual that came with the combine to see how to adjust the settings for your wheat crop. Check the sickle and make sure it is sharp enough for a clean cut.
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Plan to harvest the highest quality wheat first. Save the fields that have many weeds for last, as the wheat yield is much lower.
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Take the freshly harvested wheat to a local grain elevator as soon as possible after harvest.
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Tips & Warnings
Wheat can be harvested early and dried artificially to avoid damage by the weather.
