By Jason Lee and Forrest Francis

During planting, precise seed placement is everything. It sets the stage for the entire life cycle of the crop, so selecting the right planter for your operation is key. With a focus on customizable technology and an eye toward your farm’s agronomic needs, here are five areas to consider when ordering and configuring a new planter:

1. Assess Your Current Planting Needs

Before purchasing a planter, it's important to evaluate what challenges you are currently facing to determine if those issues can be addressed with new technology.

Things to think about:

- Are you achieving the desired crop stands you want?

- What soil conditions are you mostly planting in?

- Are you struggling to get crops planted on time?

Answering these questions will help you streamline your operation, increase your efficiency and ultimately maximize yield potential.

2. Plan for the Future

The only constant in farming is change. It’s essential to envision where you see your farm over the next few years so you can select a planter that’s not only right for today, but also for tomorrow.

Are you looking to expand the acreage of your operation? Change your tillage practices or fertility program? Who will be operating the planter and what is their skill set?

Selecting a planter should be a decision that aligns with the vision you have for your operation and how it will naturally evolve, as well as for the people who work in it every day.

3. Leverage Technology for Increased Field Efficiency

The opportunity to plant can be fleeting, especially with the unpredictability of weather. Having a planter equipped with the right technology can be a game-changer and lead to increased efficiency. This not only saves time but capitalizes on ideal planting conditions, ensuring seeds get in the soil at the perfect window.

High-speed planting technology allows you to take advantage of short planting windows, equipping your planter with the tech needed to plant at efficient high speeds without sacrificing precision. But it’s also important to know if your field conditions and current tillage practices still allow for a smooth ride at higher speeds and how increasing planting efficiency will mesh with other operations on the farm.

4. Know Your Agronomic Needs

Beyond price and size, there are a few agronomic considerations farmers should know about before choosing a planter.

● Residue Management — With higher-yielding crops and the adoption of minimal tillage practices, residue management is a concern. Although residue is necessary to reduce soil erosion and recycle nutrients back into the soil, it can negatively interfere with seed emergence if not properly managed. Modern floating row cleaners are a step up from traditional fixed models, by constantly adjusting to the land’s contours. Adding a hydraulic or air-controlled cylinder to each row cleaner enables the operator to seamlessly adjust as residue levels change. The latest innovations, like the Precision Planting Reveal, anchor row cleaners to the planter's toolbar instead of the row unit. This design can enhance seed placement by taking weight off the row unit that otherwise may interfere with ride quality and downforce requirements.

● Seed Metering & Placement — If your planter has ground or hydraulic-driven seed meters and lacks individual row control shutoffs, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Electric meters provide individual row shutoffs to prevent overlapping and double plating. This allows you to save seeds, plant at variable rates and maintain consistent seed-to-seed spacing, even during turns. If your crops are playing a game of catch up with each other, uneven emergence and growth could be a sign that your planter is struggling with depth control. Tough residue and changing soil conditions can be especially challenging. Consider adding automatic hydraulic downforce systems to help make seamless adjustments with just the right amount of pressure to keep the row unit constantly engaged with the ground and always planting at the intended depth.

● Closing Systems — Choosing the right closing system ensures your seed is surrounded with uniform soil for quick and even emergence. For conventional-type tillage systems with softer soils, standard v-rubber closing systems often do the trick. In tougher soils with minimal or no-till systems, a heavier cast or spiked closing system might be necessary to keep the furrow consistently closed. It’s a good idea to chat with your local agronomist to find what works best in your region.

● Fertility Programs — Placing fertilizer right where it’s needed is key. Opting for banded fertilizer placement with your planter can enhance nutrient uptake. Generally, there are two options for placement: offset from the row (2x2) or in-furrow. With 2x2 placements, you can apply at higher rates, particularly nitrogen, to boost growth, reduce grain moisture at harvest and often increase yield. The 2x2 system will require more fill-ups or larger tanks, impacting efficiency out in the field. In-furrow systems, on the other hand, use lower rates, which can stimulate early plant growth and help you maintain field efficiency with less downtime. However, significant yield responses are often less consistent.

5. Test New Features

If you’re unsure about a new feature for your planter, start small. Modern planters are designed to experiment row by row. So try out a new feature on one or two rows at first. This allows you to trial components like closing systems on just a few rows, evaluate the stand and then decide if it’s time to extend across your whole planter. The prospect of integrating a new planter or planting technology into your operation is a chance to achieve the desired crop stands you want and ensure your farm is prepared for the demands of tomorrow. Massey Ferguson Planters provide a maximum return on investment with proven agronomic-focused technology straight from the factory, saving you time and money all while increasing your yield potential.

Want to make the most of your time and get your best yields? Discover the technology and innovation behind every Massey Ferguson Planter here.