Author	[Modern View]
John B. 01-12-2013 05:09:43 38.114.64.177 Report to Moderator	Hard telling what new machine will be next. The sad part about a harvester is like the string bean combine. You only get one crop off the plants, because the combine gobbles up the plant along with the harvested beans. The real money is where you get multiple pickings off a given vegetable plant/crop, such as the green beans, berries, asparagus, squash, peppers, tomatoes. Sweet-corn, potatoes, popcorn for an example are a one time crop producer. Once you pick the plant's produce it's done for the season. It doesn't produce any more. [Reply]   [No Email]
rabbit 01-12-2013 06:43:07 207.241.137.116 Report to Moderator	Re: What harvest machine will they invent next? in reply to John B., 01-12-2013 05:09:43   Asparagras is a limited time crop. Only viable for a few days to a week, or so. Some of the farmers around here have a sledge with a very sharp blade on the front. Hitch it behind the tractor and go like the dickens! Maybe another pass in a week or so. Others have a motorized cart with wings over the rows. Workers ride the wings, hand cutting the shoots by hand - very labor intensive. String beans, green peas, pretty much mature at the same time. Lots of those grown here for a nationally/world known baby food manufacturer. One pass harvesting with a crew of harvesters. See them parade by here complete by with self contained portable shop, passing between the various fields. Lots of dump trucks full of product. [Reply]  [No Email]
Greg K 01-12-2013 08:57:13 99.196.64.57 Report to Moderator	Re: What harvest machine will they invent next? in reply to rabbit, 01-12-2013 06:43:07   There has been talk of trying to genetically modify corn so that it is a perennial plant and then harvest off of the same plant repeatedly. It would save planting and tillage in some areas, but require a different method of harvest. [Reply]  [No Email]
Greg K 01-12-2013 08:57:10 99.196.64.57 Report to Moderator	Re: What harvest machine will they invent next? in reply to rabbit, 01-12-2013 06:43:07   There has been talk of trying to genetically modify corn so that it is a perennial plant and then harvest off of the same plant repeatedly. It would save planting and tillage in some areas, but require a different method of harvest. [Reply]  [No Email]
Greg K 01-12-2013 08:56:20 99.196.64.57 Report to Moderator	Re: What harvest machine will they invent next? in reply to rabbit, 01-12-2013 06:43:07   There has been talk of trying to genetically modify corn so that it is a perennial plant and then harvest off of the same plant repeatedly. It would save planting and tillage in some areas, but require a different method of harvest. [Reply]  [No Email]
Dr. Ed 01-12-2013 10:27:41 71.213.145.7 Report to Moderator	Re: What harvest machine will they invent next? in reply to Greg K, 01-12-2013 08:56:20   Cotton used to be grown that way as it is a true perennial. Problem was the boll weevil and the pink boll worm loved it as they could over-winter in the live plant and have a head start the next year. Nowadays it is state law in every cotton producing state that the cotton stalks (still live plants) must be "plowed down" i.e roots pulled loose and killed, by mid winter. This law really helped with plant borne diseases and insects. [Reply]  [No Email]
Greg K 01-12-2013 10:44:24 99.196.64.57 Report to Moderator	Re: What harvest machine will they invent next? in reply to Dr. Ed, 01-12-2013 10:27:41   That makes sense. Seems like for every "improvement" there are 2 more problems that pop up. That is an interesting fact that I had no idea of. [Reply]  [No Email]
Greg K 01-12-2013 09:45:35 75.104.160.54 Report to Moderator	Re: What harvest machine will they invent next? in reply to Greg K, 01-12-2013 08:56:20   I don't know why it posted 3 times. [Reply]  [No Email]
Ralphwd45 01-12-2013 19:32:45 66.243.215.13 Report to Moderator	Re: What harvest machine will they invent next? in reply to Greg K, 01-12-2013 09:45:35   I think I know why it posted 3 times Greg! It has been so ungodly slow to post for me, that I forget that I clicked once, and come back from the kitchen with a cup of coffee, and click again, or maybe the bathroom.I sent Kim a message several days ago, about this, and have had no answer. No problems with the cattle forun, or Ford truck forum. [Reply]  [No Email]