Return to TFB Main Page
Return to Texas Agriculture Archive

February 16, 2001

Successful planting
requires systems approach

You spend countless hours visiting field plots, talking with neighbors about the numbers they used last season, and poring over seed catalogs. Now, you've made your decision and are confident you've picked the right seed for the spring.

But the process shouldn't end there. Experts say you should spend as much or more time analyzing the planting practices and systems you implement as you do on selecting the hybrids and varieties you plant.

The most obvious first step in putting together a planting plan may be to determine what planting system, and what equipment, is most appropriate for your operation. Factors such as tillage practices, cropping, and labor availability often influence equipment needs.

"Some growers may prefer to have one large piece of equipment they can use in various situations. But others—if they have the labor—may want to operate two separate seeding systems at once, planting corn and soybeans simultaneously," says Bill Barr, senior sales and service representative, row crop planters, John Deere Seeding Group.

"Not everyone wants—or needs—a 31-row planter," Barr continues. "But everyone wants to maximize production. You have a specific number of acres and only so many days to get them planted. You choose whatever will get the job done."

Tillage practices also play a primary role in determining the right planting system. "If a grower changes from a conventional till system to a reduced tillage or even no-till system, for example, we generally can adapt the planter to meet additional needs for residue management," says Barr. "However, sometimes these changes require different seeding equipment."

Moving to a reduced tillage or no-till system offers two basic options for planting systems: (1) maintaining 30-inch row spacing for all crops, or (2) planting corn on 30-inch rows and adopting narrower spacing for soybeans. In either case, the planter requires upgrades to accommodate higher surface residue levels.

For example, a split-row planter may be necessary if you convert to narrow-row spacing. One split-row planter option is the John Deere 1780 12/23 split-row planter. It offers the capability to plant 12, 30-inch rows, or 23, 15-inch rows (more common in Midwestern operations where both corn and soybeans are planted).

Another option for soybeans and small grains is a drill. For example, the John Deere 1560 drill with 7.5-inch spacing works well for soybeans and small grains like wheat and barley. The new 1530 and 1535 drills are a hybrid type with drill boxes above the planter row units spaced at 15 inches.

Planting equipment should be thoroughly inspected and serviced to ensure proper performance in the field. Most maintenance steps involve a simple visual and mechanical inspection and don't take much time.

"You need to consider the planter as a whole system and conduct pre-planting service inspections from the ground up," says Barr.

"Many people focus only on the seed meter and neglect other critical elements like the drive systems, and that can lead to frustration when you get in the field. It won't matter how well you've tuned the seed meter—your population and spacing will still be off if the drive system is not working properly," says Barr.

Barr recommends that growers review their service manuals and consult with their local dealer.

"All John Deere dealerships have a planter expert on staff. That person is trained to make sure the entire planter operates properly as a system. Consulting with your dealer saves time, aggravation, and money over the long run," says Barr.

Louie Vosberg, Calhoun County Implement, Manson, Iowa, agrees, and says, "Our technicians have been around the equipment and know what to look for. They know the spots that will wear first and have tools to set the planter to be the most accurate in specific conditions.

"We have mechanics that specialize in planters, not just someone off the street. Our mechanics deal specifically with John Deere planters, and attend regular training sessions to stay current on the equipment."

Vosberg says these lessons apply as much to older model planters as new models. "Many times new parts will fit old machines. It may be possible to upgrade an old machine and make it more efficient by simply adding some new components. Only a John Deere dealer would know about these opportunities," says Vosberg.

Planters are designed to perform in a variety of soil and surface residue conditions by adding coulters, furrowers or row cleaners, and by adjusting down-pressure. However, consistency in surface conditions, says Barr, helps to ensure the planter operates properly over the entire field.

Seedbed preparation helps create a consistent field surface, which maximizes germination rates and, ultimately, yield. "The more consistent the surface conditions, the easier it is to set the planter and get the job done," says Barr.

Careful management of the soil profile also can create soil conditions that optimize seed-to-soil contact and maximize water and nutrient infiltration. This kind of soil management demands sophisticated tillage tools.

The John Deere 200 Seedbed Finisher prepares the soil surface for planting while reducing the amount of crusting, decreasing wind and water erosion and preserving soil moisture.

"Research shows that yield increases when we have good soil adherence at the time of germination to help with moisture and nutrient uptake," says Matt Weinheimer, tillage marketing manager for John Deere. "The 200 Seedbed Finisher creates an optimum situation for increasing yield potential. It's a heavy-duty piece of equipment that helps growers create excellent growing conditions."

When used in conjunction with the John Deere 980 Field Cultivator, the 200 Seedbed Finisher creates a seedbed with larger soil particles on the surface and finer soil particles in the seed zone.

"Larger particles on the surface help disperse and reduce the energy of raindrops, which reduces erosion. And it helps moisture flow past the larger particles on top into the root zone below where plants can utilize it," says Weinheimer.

The staggered rolling baskets of the 200, combined with proper speed and weighting of the unit, break surface clods and level the soil profile. Spiraling rods are spaced to produce a soil texture that reduces crusting while firming the soil in the seed zone.

"The Seedbed Finisher creates a surface profile resistant to crusting, but also firms the soil to encourage seed-to-soil contact and preserve moisture levels in the top three inches of the profile," says Weinheimer.

A double-truss tube provides added strength to the frame and generates down-pressure to improve leveling and to keep baskets rolling at a consistent depth.

In the end, improving the soil profile and having your planter properly serviced at a John Deere dealership will ensure successful spring planting and allow you to take the first, critical step toward a bountiful fall harvest.