Although wheat is typically harvested in the 13 to 15
percent moisture content range in Kentucky, it can be successfully
harvested at higher moisture contents, provided it
is dried quickly enough to prevent spoilage and/or sprouting.
The moisture content at which harvest begins will depend
heavily on the drying system available.
Each farmer’s goal
should be to harvest as early as possible provided the grain
can be dried safely.
Some
guidelines for matching
the beginning harvest
moisture content to the
drying system are given
in Table 10-1.
If this is
your first time to harvest
high moisture wheat,
start at a low moisture
content and gradually
increase it as you gain
experience.