Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
4/23/02
Contacts:
Mark Hanna, Ag and Biosystems Engineering Extension, (515) 294-0468, hmhanna@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Planter maintenance is essential for good yield
Iowa State University (ISU) Extension agricultural engineer Mark Hanna says one of the best returns on investment in any crop year can come from taking the time to properly prepare, maintain and adjust planters. "Planter maintenance is especially important for producers in no-till and reduced tillage systems, since most of the physical responsibility for manipulating soil, placing seed, and getting the seed off to a good start rests on the planter."
The key, according to Hanna, is understanding that in these situations growers are not planting in a prepared seedbed. "The planter in a conservation tillage system is used to create the seed furrow at the right depth, place the seed uniformly in the furrow and establish adequate seed-to-soil contact, all through a layer of crop residue."
Hanna says that planting in cornstalks or forage crops requires having a coulter mounted on the planter unit ahead of the seed opener. "The coulter enables the seed opener to open a more consistent slot and provide an acceptable seedbed. Make sure the coulters are sharp and have a good bevel so they can slice through your heaviest crop residue. If there is not enough weight on the seed-openers, or the seed openers have not been maintained to keep a narrow profile with sharp edges, the row unit may 'rest up' on the openers without the depth wheels touching the soil surface."
Hanna recommends producers using conservation tillage practices follow these planting guidelines:
* Review the planter manual and talk to the equipment dealer about planting in no-till or heavy residue.
* Talk to experienced producers in your area about prepping your planter for your soil type.
* Be flexible and adjust to changes in soil moisture and residue levels when planting.
* Watch for residue 'hair-pinning' under the coulter or soil sticking to the soil-engaging components of the planter.
For more information, read ISU Extension publication Pm-1492j. It is available only on the Web at http://www.ae.iastate.edu/pm1492j.pdf.
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