Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day 2025

September 16, 2025 10:00AM - 3:00PM

Registration Deadline: September 12, 2025 - 12:00AM

Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center: 3775 S. Reese Road Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Reducing soybean harvest losses is an easy and effective way to increase soybean yields by one to two bushels per acre and income by $10.25 to $20.50 per acre in 2025. This field day will provide participants with information and educational materials about reducing soybean harvest losses. Equipment company representatives will discuss specific recommendations for fine-tuning their combines, and the following topics and equipment demonstrations are planned.

Draper heads
Harvest loss measurements
Auger heads
Harvest recommendations
Air-assisted reels
Common harvest errors

The event has been offered free to attendees over the years due to the generous support from the Michigan Soybean Committee. Farmers, agribusiness professionals, agency staff, and those interested in agriculture are welcome to attend.

AGENDA: The day will begin at 10 a.m. with check-in. NEW THIS YEAR — a clinic on combine maintenance will follow introductions. Attendees will select which concurrent clinic to attend based on the brands and models used on their farms. Lunch will be provided free of charge. The afternoon will consist of demonstrations of soybean harvest representing a wide range of equipment manufacturers and technologies, including a discussion of harvest losses. The day will conclude by 3 p.m.

CREDITS: 3.5 CCA (PD)

COST: Cost is FREE due to generous funding from event sponsors, the Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan State University Extension.

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration is required by Sept. 9th to reserve a meal. Walk-ins will be accepted, but lunch is not guaranteed.

SPONSORS: Tri County Equipment in Saginaw may be joined by other equipment dealers in the area. Special thanks to Darwin & Neil Hecht for hosting the harvest demonstration plots. Thanks also to Uebler Farms, L.L.C. for donating Pioneer P09Z79E seed for the demonstration fields.

COMMUNICATION: The field day is planned for Sept. 16, but should it need to be postponed due to weather, delayed crop development, etc., everyone who has pre-registered will be contacted with updates. Please be sure your email and cell phone are correct when you register and check both in the days leading up to the event. The postponement date is September 23, 2025.

CONTACT: For more information, contact Eric Anderson at 269-359-0565 or eander32@msu.edu. For assistance in registering for the event, contact the St. Joseph County Extension office at 269-467-5511.