Abstract
Purpose: The ratio of straw to grain mass as a function of cutting height affects combine efficiency and power consumption and is an important input parameter to combine simulation models. An equation was developed to predict straw to grain ratios for wheat as a function of cutting height. Methods: Two mass functions, one for straw and one for grain, were developed using regression techniques and measured data collected in west Texas during the summer, and used to predict the straw to grain ratio. Results: Three equations were developed to facilitate the simulation of a combine during wheat harvest. Two mass functions, one for straw and one for grain, were also developed; a quadratic equation describes the straw mass with an $R^2$ of 0.992. An S-shaped curve describes the mass function for grain with an $R^2$ of 0.957. An equation for straw to grain ratio of wheat was developed as a function of cutting height. The straw to grain ratio has an $R^2$ value of 0.947. Conclusions: In all cases, the equations had $R^2$ values above 0.94 and were significant at the 99.9 percent probability level (alpha = 0.001). Although all three equations are useful, the grain mass and straw to grain ratio equations will have direct application in combine simulation models.
