When should yield monitors be calibrated?

Calibration of yield monitors is crucial to ensure the accuracy of yield data collected during harvest. The correct answer emphasizes that yield monitors should be calibrated at the beginning of each season and also during any significant changes, such as modifications in equipment, changes in crop type, or variations in harvest conditions.

Calibrating at the beginning of the season allows farmers to establish a baseline for new crops and conditions, ensuring that the sensors report accurate data from the start of harvesting. Additionally, if there are significant alterations in the equipment settings or if different crops are being harvested, recalibration is necessary to adjust for any differences in crop density, moisture content, and other factors that may affect the yield measurements. This proactive approach helps maintain data reliability throughout the harvest process.

The rationale for the other options highlights the importance of regular calibration. Calibrating only at the end of the harvesting season limits the accuracy of the data collected throughout the season. Waiting several years can lead to accumulating errors in data reporting, as the sensor performance may degrade over time or may not adapt to subtle changes in crop conditions. Lastly, addressing calibration only when faults are detected may lead to gaps in data reliability and can result in poor decision-making based on inaccurate yield estimates. Therefore, calibrating consistently at the