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Field Pea Harvest Time
The cool-season, legume crop fits well into small grain rotations, especially in the western two-thirds of the state where grain legume crop options are limited. Pea growers need to carefully monitor the crop as it nears maturity in order to harvest on a timely basis. Harvest timing is especially important if the crop is to be marketed as seed, or to meet contract specifications for human food or specialty feed markets.
Field pea generally reaches physiological maturity in 85 to 105 days depending on the variety. Field pea may be swathed before combining or straight (direct) combined. Peas are normally swathed if a variety with prostrate type of growth is grown, there is uneven crop maturity, or heavy weed pressure is present. When swathing peas, vines and pods should be a yellow to tan color. The crop matures from the bottom pods upward. Yellow-cotyledon peas should have seed that has turned yellow in color.
Swathing will normally result in increased harvest losses. Modifications on the swather makes the procedure easier and reduces harvest loss. Modifications like vine-lifters enable producers to get under the pea vines and lift them over the cutting knife. Many growers use a pickup reel as well. Peas should be swathed in the early morning or late afternoon when the pods are tough to reduce shattering losses. A roller is recommended to push the swathe into the stubble for protection from wind. It is best to swath just before combining.
Field peas should be combined when the seed contains 16 to 20% moisture, to reduce splitting and cracking of the seed coat. At this moisture level, the seeds are firm and no longer penetrable with a thumbnail. Also, pea vines must have turned yellow (no green color present) otherwise harvest will be extremely difficult.
Straight combining is possible depending on variety grown and harvest equipment available. Short-vine and semi-leafless pea varieties have characteristics that are adaptable to straight harvesting compared to varieties with indeterminate and prostrate-vine growth. For example, semi-leafless peas have a more open canopy, remain erect longer, and dry down more rapidly after a rain or heavy dew compared to conventional varieties.
Direct harvesting can be accomplished using an aggressive pickup attachment on a standard combine. Another option is the use of a combine header with a floating cutterbar. Also, attachments such as lifter guards and pickup reels reduce losses and improve harvest efficiency.
Correct combine settings and operation are important to maintain seed quality. Also, adjust combine settings as weather and harvest conditions change.
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