1. Precision Planting for Row Crops
By:
Kevin Waldschmidt

2. Precision Agriculture
Anything that maximizes an agricultural producers profitability
Does not require a computer and wiring

3. Objectives:
Achieve a greater level of precision when planting row crops by updating your current planter
Increase yield
Maximize profit

4. 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

5. Level the Planter Why? How? Benefit?
Trash wheels too deep, closing wheels too shallow
Seed tube angle
How?
Adjust drawbar height
Benefit?
Better emergence

6. Check Bushings Why? How? Benefit?
Increased row unit bounce → Seed bounce
How?
Wiggle row unit up & down & side to side
Benefit?
Reduce skips and doubles

7. What is a Skip, Double? Skip Double
When a seed is not planted causing wasted space
Double
When two seeds are planted side by side causing increased competition

8. Replace Kinked or Rusted Chains
Why?
Disrupts metering
Benefit?
Minimize skips and doubles

9. Change Worn Seed Tubes Why? Benefit? Dog ear projection
Reduce skips and doubles

10. Use Keeton Seed Firmers
Why?
Improve seed to soil contact
Increase depth control
Benefit?
Uniform germination
Six bushels / acre

11. Equip with Walking Gauge Wheels
Why?
To follow the ground contour
Benefit?
Enhanced seed placement

12. 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

13. Replace Disc Blades When they Fall Below Factory Specifications
Why?
Cause uneven seed depth
Poor penetration
Benefit?
Improved depth control → uniform germination

14. 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)

15. 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

16. Calibrate Why? How? Benefit? Ensure proper seeding rate
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

17. Watch Your Speed Why? What speed? Benefit?
Higher speeds increase row unit bounce → skips and doubles
What speed?
Refer to owners manual for recommended speeds
Benefit?
Enhanced seed placement
Larger profit

18. After Making these 12 Improvements:
Achieve a greater level of precision when planting row crops
Increase yield
Maximize profit

19. Sources www.exapta.com www.precisionplanting.com

20. Questions or Comments?