Two-stage harvesting
A harvesting method where crops are first cut into windrows to mature and dry, followed by a separate operation of threshing using a combine harvester with a pickup attachment.
Также говорят: swathing, windrowing
This practice is essential for crops that ripen unevenly or fields with high weed pressure. By cutting the crop early, producers allow the grain to achieve physiological maturity in the windrow while drying out moisture from green weeds.
The timing is crucial and should typically coincide with the wax ripeness stage. Common mistakes include forming windrows that are too dense to allow proper airflow, leading to mold, or leaving the windrows in the field for too long, which increases the risk of losses due to shedding and weather events.