Farmers must take into account numberous factors when harvesting peas.
Peas mature from the bottom up. At maturity, bottom pods are dry and pea seed will often rattle within the pod. Middle pods are yellow with the seeds dry and firm. Top pods look similar to the middle pods with a more greenish colour.
Upper pods should be rough or leathery. The seed in the upper pods should split into two halves when squeezed. If seeds mush, assess other plants and areas to determine the overall picture of maturity in the field.
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With yellow varieties, ensure there is seed colour change from green to yellow. If this transition has not taken place, producers risk locking the green colour into the seed.
This is of concern when selling into the yellow human consumption market. It is not an issue for animal feed.
Pea fields will often be uneven in maturity. Low areas with better moisture may not be as mature as hillsides or hilltops.
It’s necessary to determine when the majority is mature. Reglone provides desiccation whereas glyphosate gives weed control.
Visit the following link for answers to questions about desiccation or preharvest glyphosate application: www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/dept
docs.nsf/all/faq7206?opendocument.
Swathing
Excessive shattering can occur if peas are swathed too late. Pods and vines can have as much as one-third lime green colour and they will cure in the swath.
Pea swaths are prone to wind damage because there is little stubble left to anchor them. Be prepared to delay swathing immature areas, otherwise overall quality and quantity may be affected.
Swathing at night or early morning will help reduce shatter losses.
Straight cutting
Peas can be straight cut with little risk of excess shatter losses. Match the reel speed to ground speed to minimize shattering.
To minimize the amount of dirt picked up, maintain proper header height.
Moisture content
Peas can be threshed at up to 20 percent moisture content. Dry is 16 percent. As the moisture content decreases, seed cracking and splitting increases. This is a key concern when peas are to be used for seed.
Combining during the heat of the day can increase shatter losses, splits and cracks.
Handle gently for quality
When setting the combine, open the chaffer and sieve nearly wide open, then close them down for adequate cleaning. Slow down the cylinder speeds.
As a guideline, set concaves approximately one-quarter inch at the front and one-half inch at the back. Opening up the sieves and increasing wind speed will help separate peas from chaff and straw.
When unloading the combine, slow down the engine to minimize seed damage in the unload auger.
Conveyors reduce the amount of seed damage. If conveyors are not available, slow the auger speed down to minimize damage. When unloading into a bin, bean ladders or speed reducers help lessen seed damage.
Aeration
Peas can be stored at 16 percent moisture or lower. When peas are harvested at higher moisture contents, it is necessary to dry the seed down. Aeration works well in reducing moisture content.
When using a dryer, if peas are to be used for seed, do not operate the dryer over 45 C.
Stress cracking can occur from higher temperatures and rapid cooling. Stress cracks will reduce germination.
