The problem: Stray ears of corn roll off the snouts and get left in the field.

The solution: New "Corn Collectors" from May-Wes Mfg., Gibbon, Minn. Made of durable polyethylene plastic, they're V-shaped and bolt onto the snout ends. They're shaped and angled to catch loose ears before they hit the ground and are lost forever. Loose ears caught in the collectors are returned to the gathering chains and fed back into the combine by vibration of the combine and movement of the stalks.

"Down stalks and ears still affixed to them slide gently over the poly collectors. They not only save ears but also help eliminate problems with volunteer corn in the following crop," the manufacturer points out. "If you don't think you're losing corn, put on a set of Corn Collectors and prove it to yourself. You'll be amazed."