About 110 people registered and attended the Combine College that took place in Portage la Prairie Thursday, with some familiar faces from previous events. It's the first time it's been held since start of the pandemic. It's put on by the Manitoba Pulse and Soybeans Growers, Manitoba Canola Growers and Manitoba Crop Alliance.

Russell Pauls of 58 West Farms was there from the Crystal City area, and took in some of the helpful sessions.

"I would say there's been some new stuff this morning that I've learned," says Pauls. "I've got a bit of an understanding of combines, but it's been a little bit more helpful just to listen to some experts and get their opinions. These guys have been running combines for 20 to 25 years."

Russell PaulsRussell Pauls

Pauls says it's good to hear about what they've seen in the field, how they can pass their knowledge on, and see producers take what applies to their operations, and go from there.

"We don't run any of the combines that are here, so that's a bit of a bummer, especially for us," adds Pauls. "So, that's why I was in the general session this morning on managing crop loss."

He notes he learned a lot about general combine settings that apply to all machines, as well. 

Liam Tkachyk farms near Elm Creek and operates Culross Commodities Ltd. 

"Just a bunch of local farmers come out and just get a much better understanding of how to do maintenance, service and essentially save money in running our piece of equipment," notes Tkachyk. "That's for New Holland, Case and John Deere, currently. I've learned so much, to be honest. There are all kinds of small little tweaks you can do to sieves and concaves to increase or decrease your loss from harvesting all different types of crops. It's just so extraordinary how one thing can save you thousands and thousands of dollars, and increase your yield."

Tkachyk says his farm operates a Case IH. 

"I bet you they're going to be performing much better now that I learned a lot more about the piece of equipment," adds Tkachyk.