End-of-Season Combine Clean-out Recommendations
Joshua Putman, Field Crops and Forage Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
For many growers in Southwest New York, fall harvest is coming to an end. Now is the time to prepare harvest equipment for winter storage. Proper post-harvest preparation includes cleaning all parts of the combine, including the head, feeder-house, rock trap, concaves, cleaning shoes, elevators, grain bin, unloading auger, chopper, rear axle, and chassis before entering storage. These can help reduce the likelihood of animals nesting in the equipment which can lead to electrical damage resulting in fire, improves the function and longevity of parts, and puts a closure to the 2020 growing season. A full combine clean-out protocol is available at the North Central Agriculture and Natural Resource Academy. If you have questions about combine clean-out or have noticed a field with significant pest pressure, contact Josh Putman at 716-490-5572 or jap473@cornell.edu.
Field Crops
Dairy
Business
Livestock
Grains
Upcoming Events
NY Pork Producers - 2026 Producer Summit & Annual Meeting
March 13 - March 14, 2026
Hamilton, NY
Join NYPP for the 2026 Producer Summit, where producers of all sizes and production styles will explore marketing, branding, selling pork, and current consumer trends through practical sessions designed to help build demand, connect with customers, and add value to their operations.
Mid Atlantic Grain Conference
March 15 - March 16, 2026
We're excited to share that the 2026 Mid‐Atlantic Grain Fair & Grain Conference is coming March 15-16, 2026 in Pennsylvania! This two-day event brings together farmers, millers, bakers, brewers, distillers, researchers, and grain enthusiasts to learn, connect, and celebrate local grains. These events will be offered at two seperate locations.
Quality Wool Workshop
March 21, 2026
Alfred, NY
Please join us for a day of workshops and hands-on activities for shepherds, shearers, fiber artists, and interested community members -- learn how to produce quality fleece, process wool at-home, access markets for your wool, help your local shepherds, and strengthen our regional wool supply chain! Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County in collaboration with Allegany Fresh Transport, Northeast Fiber Exchange (NEFX), Southern Tier Fiber Arts Guild, and Crooked Lane Farm. The workshop will be held at the Union University Church Community Center in Alfred, NY on Saturday, March 21st from 10 AM to 4 PM.
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