Harvest

In agriculture, harvesting is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. The harvest marks the end of the growing season, or the growing cycle for a particular crop. Harvesting also encompasses the immediate post-harvest handling, including all of the actions taken from physically removing the crop, sorting, cleaning and packing, and either storing, or shipping it to the wholesale or consumer market.

Related Topics:
Agriculture - Crop - Field - Post-harvest handling

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Harvest timing is a critical decision, that balances the likely weather conditions with the degree of crop maturity. Weather events like frost, and unseasonably warm or cold periods, affect yield and quality for each individual crop. An earlier harvest date may avoid damaging conditions, but result in poorer yield and quality. Delaying harvest may allow for a better harvest, but increases the chance of weather problems. Timing of the harvest often involves a significant degree of risk and gambling.

Related Topics:
Weather - Frost - Yield - Risk - Gambling

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On smaller farms with minimal mechanization, harvesting is the most labor-intensive activity of the growing season. On large, mechanized farms, harvesting utilizes the most expensive and sophisticated farm machinery, like the combine harvester.

Related Topics:
Farm - Mechanization - Labor - Farm machinery - Combine harvester

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Harvest commonly refers to grain and produce, but is used in reference to fish and timber.

Related Topics:
Grain - Fish - Timber

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