Precision Planting for Row Crops

By:Kevin Waldschmidt

Precision Agriculture

• Anything that maximizes an agricultural producers profitability

• Does not require a computer and wiring

Objectives:

• Achieve a greater level of precision when planting row crops by updating your current planter

• Increase yield

• Maximize profit

How to Meet Objectives?• Level the Planter• Check Bushings• Replace Kinked or Rusted Chains• Change Worn Seed Tubes• Use Keeton Seed Firmers• Equip with Walking Gauge Wheels• Swap Spoked Closing Wheels for Smooth• Replace Disc Blades When they Fall Below Factory

Specifications• Replace Down Pressure Springs with Airbags• Ensure Planter Monitor is Fully Functional• Calibrate• Watch Your Speed

Level the Planter

• Why? – Trash wheels too deep, closing wheels too shallow– Seed tube angle

• How?– Adjust drawbar height

• Benefit?– Better emergence

Check Bushings

• Why?– Increased row unit bounce → Seed bounce

• How?– Wiggle row unit up & down & side to side

• Benefit?– Reduce skips and doubles

What is a Skip, Double?

• Skip– When a seed is not

planted causing wasted space

• Double– When two seeds are

planted side by side causing increased competition

Replace Kinked or Rusted Chains

• Why?– Disrupts metering

• Benefit?– Minimize skips and doubles

Change Worn Seed Tubes

• Why?– Dog ear projection

• Benefit?– Reduce skips and doubles

Use Keeton Seed Firmers

• Why?– Improve seed to soil contact– Increase depth control

• Benefit?– Uniform germination– Six bushels / acre

Equip with Walking Gauge Wheels

• Why?– To follow the ground contour

• Benefit?– Enhanced seed placement

Swap Spoked Closing Wheels for Smooth

• Why?– Loose dirt is placed on furrow– Less compaction– Earlier entry after rain

• Benefit?– Quicker emergence– Increase planting window

Replace Disc Blades When they Fall Below Factory Specifications

• Why?– Cause uneven seed depth – Poor penetration

• Benefit?– Improved depth control → uniform germination

Replace Down Pressure Springs with Airbags

• Why?– Adjust for:• differences in seed box weight• Soil moisture content• Soil types

• Benefit?– Improve germination– Improve root growth (allow growth outside of furrow)

Ensure Planter Monitor is Fully Functional

• Why?– Notification of seeding error– Eliminate guess work

• How?– Make sure all row unit lights come on at the end of each

pass signaling that no seed is falling through the seed tubes.

• Benefit?– Confidence in seeding rate– Reduces risk of costly errors

Calibrate

• Why?– Ensure proper seeding rate

• How?– Drive a few feet and confirm that the number of

seeds that fell in a foot is near your targeted rate.

• Benefit?– Provides the intended population of seeds– Seeding too thick or too light can reduce yield

Watch Your Speed

• Why?– Higher speeds increase row unit bounce → skips and

doubles

• What speed?– Refer to owners manual for recommended speeds

• Benefit?– Enhanced seed placement– Larger profit

After Making these 12 Improvements:

• Achieve a greater level of precision when planting row crops

• Increase yield

• Maximize profit

Sources

• www.exapta.com

• www.precisionplanting.com

• http://www.jddealer.deere.com/DeereFiles/RegionNA/LargeImages/Planting/Planter-1780FF-I19590.jpg

Questions or Comments?