Precision PlantingSteven Snelson

Precision

Definition of precision-Webster’s defines precision

as “the quality or state of being precise”

They also state that “the degree of refinement with which an operation is performed or a measurement stated “

Planting

Definition of planting-Webster’s defines

planting as “to put or set in the ground for growth”

Precision Planting

Combining the two, I derive this definition of precision plantingThe quality or state of

precisely placing a seed in a medium such as the soil for growth.

Early On

More Modern

Precision Planting Row Unit Breakdown Row Openers Seed Tubes and keetons Row Swath Control Precision Metering

Precision Planting Row Unit Breakdown Row Openers Seed Tubes and keetons Row Swath Control Precision Metering

Precision Planting

There are many modification that can be made to planters to make them more precise when it comes to seed placement

Row openers, press wheels, seed tubes, seed boxes, seed metering wheels, seed plates, keetons, and some type of furrow closing device all make up a single row unit.

Precision Planting Row Unit Breakdown Row Openers Seed Tubes and keetons Row Swath Control Precision Metering

Row OpenersRow openers clear trash, cover crops, residue,

out of the way of the seed placement device. They also break up the soil slightly to open a

trench for the seed to be placed in.The device shown below allows for more down

pressure to be put on the openers to allow for better opening of a furrow in no-till systems.

This device allows the openers to float along the soil surface

Precision Planting Row Unit Breakdown Row Openers Seed Tubes and keetons Row Swath Control Precision Metering

Seed Tubes and keetonsSeed Tubes keetons

Seed tubes deliver the seed from the box to the furrowKeetons press the seed against the bottom of the furrow so the seed gets good soil contact. They also can deliver starter fertilizer at low doses.

Precision Planting Row Unit Breakdown Row Openers Seed Tubes and keetons Row Swath Control Precision Metering

Row Swath ControlCan be used to stop double planting on end rowsControls individual row units16 row planter on 1100 acres->Total Seed Savings: 25 bags at

$200/bag $5000->Yield increase for swath control: 7000 bushels or $21000 in $3 corn market->One year payback was $26000 or $23 per acre (Precision Planting).

Row Swatch ControlCan also be used in a variable

seeding situationWere soil types change,

different levels of plant populations can be implemented

Variable Seeding Using GISThis shows variable rates

being selected using GIS Soil Data and recommendations being applied.

Row Swatch Control Relatively new hardware More adopted in high yielding corn

systems than other cropping systems

Has great potential to save producers money

A Purdue University / Farm Journal study analyzed Variable Rate versus a single population setting. The payback is illustrated as:•Total Acres in Study: 1,300•Yield Increase for Variable Rate: 15 bu /acreTotal Payback in $3 corn market: $45 / acre or $58,500 on 1,300 acres

Precision Planting Row Unit Breakdown Row Openers Seed Tubes and keetons Row Swath Control Precision Metering

Precision Metering Precision metering of seed is another part

of precision planting

If you can’t deliver the seed on a consistent basis everything else doesn’t matter

Questions?