Continuous grain yield monitoring

Performance of an electronic yield monitor was evaluated in controlled and field environments. Laboratory experiments were conducted with forces applied by a universal testing machine on the grain flow sensor of the yield monitor. The yield monitor was then field tested on a combine on two different row lengths. The yield reported by the monitor in the laboratory was closely related to a calculated yield (r > 0.99). Yield results reported by the monitor in the field for the 100-m-long strips closely agreed with yields based on the amount of grain as determined by scales. When the monitor was used on 20-m rows there was more scatter in the results because of influence of starting and stopping delays as well as isolated pulses of grain out of the combine's grain elevator. The goal of splitting the signal from a yield monitor on a continuously moving combine to provide spot yields within a field was not completely accomplished. Field results reported here and by users indicate that yield mapping with continuous flow monitors is feasible. These results further suggest that yield monitors are mechanically reliable and will provide accurate enough information for producer's yield maps.