What to do when the planter rolls into the field and is pushed into a suitable seedbed?
About this episode Real Agriculture Corn School, Karen Tinline, Operations Manager at Kearney Planters, has a wish list for corn planter furrow management and what farmers can do if the planters are fine-tuned, properly prepared, and rolling in good soil conditions. We’re sharing what you should expect. He also explains why growers should consider “firm force” rather than downforce when fine-tuning planters.
In a perfect planting world, Tinline says, moisture would be available once the seeds were planted at the desired depth. The side walls of the seed furrow are firmly fixed, so no dry soil can fall into or around the seeds. Seeds may fall to the bottom of the furrow. There are no residues near the seeds. And the side walls are loose enough that the closure system can destroy the groove.
But luck alone is not enough for producers to do everything right. In the video, Tinline reviews a planter inspection checklist and offers maintenance and preparation tips for growers preparing to head into the field.
Tinline also highlights the importance of downforce and explains why he encourages producers to think more in terms of clamping force. He says growers really need to consider soil type and planting conditions when determining how much pressure step down is needed. Story continues after the video.
“It takes little pressure to drive the planter deep into sandy soil, but how will the side walls hold up? Do they have a structure that allows the seeds to reach the bottom of the furrow without caving in?” Ting Line asks. “The same goes for low-moisture, murky soils, which require a little more pressure to maintain sidewall structure,” he points out.
Higher speeds require producers to use more clamping force. “Think of it like a person waterskiing behind a boat. The faster we go, the more he comes out of the water.”
See also: Preparing your planter for best performance
For heavier soils, the Tinline would rather have less force. “Sure, it takes more force to penetrate the soil and get to the depth, but then does it take any force to make the trench solid?” he asks. The answer is no. If you use too much force here, it’s like “lining bricks up the side of a ditch.”
Tinline notes that growers tend to lean toward the heavier side to ensure they reach their target depths, but he believes that adequate compaction forces are directly correlated to good soil structure. . “When set up correctly, it creates the perfect environment for root growth and nutrient uptake, resulting in uniform germination and higher yields.”
Overall, Tinline emphasizes that any planting system requires active management and balance, saying, “It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it decision.”
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