For Bob Krause, a grain farmer from Krakow, fall is the best time of year. After months of preparation, care and patience, it’s finally time for Wisconsin corn harvest.
“This is what you work for all year,” Bob said, smiling as his combine moves steadily across the field.
How do grain farmers care for their crops?
Bob’s corn season begins in late April, when he uses minimal tillage to prepare the ground. This conservation practice disturbs the soil less, helping it hold moisture and prevent erosion. Once the soil is ready, Bob uses a 12-row planter guided by GPS technology to plant his corn with pinpoint accuracy, saving fuel and seed by reducing overlap.
Throughout the summer, Bob carefully manages his fields. He applies targeted herbicides to control weeds and uses fertilizer to give the young plants the nutrients they need to thrive. Every product is applied responsibly and in the right amount, guided by GPS technology and university-backed recommendations. Each week, he scouts his fields for pests or diseases. This is an important step to keep the crop healthy and reduce the need for additional treatments.
As part of his commitment to conservation, Bob also leaves a few acres of standing corn along wooded and marshy areas of his farm. Through a USDA conservation program, these untouched sections provide food and shelter for wildlife while helping protect sensitive areas from erosion.
What is a combine?
When Wisconsin corn harvest arrives, Bob relies on one of farming’s most impressive machines: the combine. This single piece of equipment cuts the corn stalk, removes the ear and separates the kernels from the cob. Inside, a series of spinning cylinders and sieves work together to clean the kernels before they’re stored in a large grain tank. The stalks and cobs are returned to the ground behind the combine where they’ll naturally break down and enrich the soil for future crops.
As he works, Bob watches the moisture level of the corn closely. Corn is best stored at about 14% moisture to prevent damage and spoilage during storage.
How does technology help Wisconsin corn harvest?
Technology plays a role in keeping Bob’s operation sustainable and efficient. GPS systems guide his machinery in perfectly straight lines, ensuring precise planting and spraying, while his smartphone helps him record and track field data. These tools allow Bob to make smarter decisions, using fewer resources while maintaining healthy, productive soil.
For Bob, all of that hard work comes together in the fall—his favorite time of year—when he sees the crop he’s carefully nurtured throughout the season ready for Wisconsin corn harvest.
Bob Krause is featured as a part of Gather Wisconsin’s Leaders of the Land® segment, which features Wisconsin farmers moving agriculture forward through their commitment to sustainability. This story was created in partnership with Midwest Communications, Inc.