bales after the mechanical harvesting of a field in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.]] In agriculture, harvesting is the process of gathering mature crops from the field. Reaping is the harvesting of grain crops. The harvest marks the end of the growing season, or the growing cycle for a particular crop. Harvesting in general usage includes an immediate post-harvest handling, all of the actions taken immediately after removing the crop?cooling, sorting, cleaning, packing?up to the point of further on-farm processing, or shipping to the wholesale or consumer market. Harvest timing is a critical decision, that balances the likely weather conditions with the degree of crop maturity. Weather conditions such as frost, and unseasonably warm or cold periods, can affect yield and quality. An earlier harvest date may avoid damaging conditions, but result in poorer yield and quality. Delaying harvest may result in a better harvest, but increases the r