REPRESENTATIVE FARMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD - World Food: Production and Use - page 34

Figure 1.46. Grain truck being filled.
Each field's soil is sampled and analyzed every other year. Fertilizer is purchased
from a local supplier and is designed to fit the requirement of both the soil, adding nutri-
ents that are not at adequate levels and the crop, to be planted. Some fertilizer is applied
by spreading on the soil surface before planting while other is fertilizer applied at plant-
ing with the planter.
Harvesting is accomplished using the same combine for maize, soybeans, barley,
and wheat (Fig. 1.43). For each crop a different “header” is installed. A stripper header
strips the grain from the barley and wheat stalk leaving most of the stalks standing in the
field. Soybean and maize headers either cut soybeans and separate beans from shells
and stalks or “pick” maize ears from stalks and remove the grain from ears. All the
headers use the same combine body with just the front part, the header, being
changed depending on the grain to be harvested. Grain is collected in a bin on the
combine and transferred to a grain wagon or truck (Fig. 1.46) when the bin is full.
Most harvested grains are immediately shipped to a local grain elevator. A grain
elevator consists of several tall round buildings (silos) used to dry and store grain.
Figure 1.47. Grain bins and a grain truck being filled.