We have used JD 9000 series walker combines for 7 years, currently run a 1999 9610. we also need 3500round straw bales for our 22 straw based hog finishing barns.We typically cut 50 to 80 bu_acre wheat at 2 to 2.5mph taking in 4 ft of straw with 1-2 bushel loss. I have tried to push the combine to 4 mph in these condition but measured up to 10 bu. loss. We have combined 30 bu wheat at 4 mph with2 ft of straw with minimal loss and a 15 bu crop with 1 ft of straw at 8 mph. Our straw is often damp even when grain is dry. I know swathing and or Roundup can help matere the straw, but particularily in winter wheat swathing often means excessive sprouting. Are there any proven and hopefully economical methods to substantially reduce the walker losses and increase the combine rateIJ Has anyone modified one of two combines and measured the differences in the same field IJ Is anyone in a similiar situation where you need the round bale straw, tried all the modification, still could not get an acceptable job and traded to a more suitable combine, if so what combine has high capacity and still leaves the straw in baleable condition even in dry yearsIJ In this late wet year at 2 mph I won't have enough days to get the crop off. So far 20 acres of 85 bushel winter wheat with 1980 acres to go