Sunflowers and maize: which machine does what in summer?
2025. June 16.During the summer months, sunflowers and maize, two of the most important crops in Hungarian agriculture, play a key role in farmers’ work. The cultivation and harvesting of both crops require specialised machinery and technologies, the efficiency and reliability of which are crucial for yield and economy. Let’s see what exactly is needed.
Agricultural machinery for harvesting sunflowers
The harvesting of sunflowers requires special attention, as the structure and ripening characteristics of the plant can easily lead to losses. Modern agricultural machinery, in particular special sunflower adapters for harvesters and threshers, represent a major advance in this area. For example, vibratory tray sunflower adapters do their job with 2-3% loss, a significant improvement compared to previous solutions. These adapters are available in a variety of designs, up to 16 rows, and when equipped with a stem crusher, they also manage the stubble even more efficiently.
It is important to know that artificial pre-harvest dibbling also plays an important role in sunflower production. This process allows optimisation of the harvest timing, reduces the spread of diseases and improves crop quality.
What about maize?
The cultivation and harvesting of maize also requires serious technological methods. Modern combine harvesters, such as the New Holland CR models, can harvest up to 4-5 hectares in an hour, not to mention minimising grain loss and maximising grain cleanliness.
Significant progress has also been made in precision farming and water saving. For example, some farmers are using seeders with special band cleaners and row-saving twin wheels, which allow fast and efficient sowing while preserving soil structure and moisture.
Key technologies
Technological advances in agricultural machinery are crucial to the efficiency of sunflower and maize production. Innovative adapters, combines and seed drills not only make work faster and more efficient, but also help to increase yields and reduce environmental impact.
Another important factor is that the summer months are not only the most important time for crop development, but also the most challenging for farmers and their machinery. High temperatures and increasingly unpredictable rainfall and droughts all have a significant impact on crops. At the same time, machinery has to cope with extreme conditions.
John Deere ‘s new generation of combines, for example, are equipped not only with excellent cleaning systems, but also with intelligent sensors and precision yield mapping. These systems are able to provide immediate feedback during the harvesting process to the farmer, who can then optimise forward speed, threshing intensity or even stalk crushing force. This allows the machine to automatically adapt to both changing terrain conditions and the condition of the crop. This is particularly useful in a heterogeneous maize field, for example.
The world of smart machines
Of course, we cannot ignore precision farming technologies, which have recently been gaining ground in both sunflower and maize production. It may come as no surprise to anyone, but tractors and seed drills now use GPS-based tracking, which allows for centimetre-accurate row guidance and nutrient delivery. Differentiated seeding and nutrient application is particularly important for these crops, as optimal input use can benefit farmers not only economically but also environmentally.
Modern agricultural machinery and technologies used in sunflower and maize production therefore contribute significantly to the efficiency and economy of production. Precision farming, the use of advanced harvesting machinery and innovative adapters make it possible to minimise losses, maximise yields and reduce environmental impact.