Full explanation
Swath harvest technology: the combine doesn't harvest directly but cuts into a swath that ripens 5–10 days, then picks up from the swath with the same combine fitted with a pickup header. Pros: (1) better ripening of uneven crops (winter rapeseed, pea, lentil); (2) lower rain-risk; (3) better weed dry-down. Cons: risk of wind disturbance; two-pass operation; more fuel. In Ukraine swath harvest dominates: winter rapeseed (80–90% of area in 2024 [VERIFY]), buckwheat, lentil, castor. Direct harvest is standard for wheat, barley, corn, sunflower, soybean. Swath formation: a swather/windrower — MacDon M-series, New Holland H-series, John Deere W-series.