Yield Data FAQ's
Answers to some frequently asked questions regarding yield data
What if I have two different brands of combines?
We clean and post calibrate each combine separately, so the data merges seamlessly.
What if I have one combine that does not have a yield monitor?
If you run multiple combines but one does not map yield the best practice is to ensure the combines follow each other in alternating passes so any data gaps are no larger than one pass. This is only recommended for farms with 3 or more combines so more than half of the field has coverage.
What if the bu/ac values I see on my monitor are wildly inaccurate?
The real-time values on your yield monitor are raw, instant readings from the mass flow sensor. These can jump around due to delays in grain flow, changes in speed, GPS signal issues, or swath width errors. However, your combine records smoothed and corrected data in the background. That’s why your final yield map looks more accurate — it's based on processed data, not the fluctuating numbers you see live on the screen.
Will my canola map be accurate if there are areas with green seed?
Your yield map will still record data, but areas with green canola may show lower yields—not necessarily because the crop underperformed, but because the immature grain had higher moisture, was harder to thresh, or wasn’t fully developed.
If those same areas are green year after year, it likely points to real agronomic challenges like poor drainage or uneven fertility. In that case, the lower yield is accurate and worth addressing. For one-off green patches, we use moisture maps in combination with satellite imagery to help interpret the data correctly.
We don’t have the time to calibrate properly, is there any value to my maps?
Absolutely, if the total bushels harvested from each field can be provided for proper post calibration by our cleaning team. The relative change in yield will still be recorded in the yield map without regular calibration if any changes to combine settings are made in the first few passes of a field and not halfway through completion.
Do I need to have a newer combine to get good maps?
No. There are combines going back 15+ years that have perfectly good yield monitors in them. There are also after market yield monitor options that can be retrofitted to older combines that were not sold with yield monitors. You do not have to buy a new machine to get a good yield map.
How do I know my combines are recording properly?
If you have a wireless data transfer service like John Deere Ops Center or Case FieldOps you can log into your account and check that harvest data has uploaded and is complete. You can also link your account with our SWATMAPS account, and our yield cleaning team can check for you.
If you manually transfer your harvest data via usb or memory card, periodically copy the data from combine to your computer. You can test your data after the first few fields or days of harvest by doing this and sending the files to us to verify.
What if I don’t have wireless data transfer for my combines?
You can manually transfer yield data from your monitor to a computer and share it with our team. It’s a simple process and does not require advanced technological skills.
On John Deere GS3 and newer, inserting a usb stick into the monitor will automatically open the data transfer window. Select the data you want to transfer and export.
For Case Pro 700 simply remove the usb and copy the contents to your computer. Do not delete anything on the usb. Return to the combine when finished. If you have multiple combines its best to label each usb so it returns to the correct machine.
All other combine brands share a similar process for transferring to an inserted USB stick
Use the Display’s Export or Data Transfer Menu
- Open the main menu on your monitor (e.g., "Data Management," "Task Controller," or "File Export").
- Select “Export,” “Copy to USB,” or “Save Data.”
- Choose what you want to export:
- Yield maps (Tasks)
- Field boundaries
- Prescriptions (if used)
- All Data (if available)
- You can usually select individual fields or export all data.
Complete the Export
- Confirm your selections and wait for the transfer to finish.
- Look for a confirmation message like “Export Complete” or “Data Written Successfully.”
Remove the USB stick once the process is complete
Transfer to your computer
- Copy or import the data to your computer hard drive
- Data is usually stored in folders like CN1, AgData, or TaskData depending on your brand
If your combine was purchased in the last 3 to 5 years, there is a good chance it is already capable of wireless data transfer. You can check with your dealer about activating this service. Many dealers have low or no cost options for using their platform and can be linked with us for seamless data delivery.