A method for monitoring grain content within the cleaning and tailings system of an agricultural harvester having an upper sieve, a lower sieve spaced from the upper sieve, a clean grain sheet situated below the lower sieve, a tailings sheet situated below the clean grain sheet, and a tailings auger situated about a forward end of the tailings sheet, comprising the steps of:
- using a sensor positioned between the tailings auger and the tailings sheet, sensing grain received by the tailings sheet;
- and
- using a controller in communication with the sensor, determining an amount of grain received by the tailings sheet based on data from the sensor.