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Pioneer® GrowingPoint® Agronomy News
Insights To Help Growers Increase Yields Through Better Crop Management
GREG PFEFFER
DEXTER, MO.
Are you ready? Corn planting has begun in many areas of the Deep South and will soon begin in the middle to North Delta. Corn yield is a function of many factors, and most of those factors are determined before the first seed is ever planted. Usually, seed selection, soil fertility, IPM plans and equipment choices are already determined. The main challenge is to carry out those plans and make adjustments when needed.
Planters need to be ready to roll when it’s time to go to the field. There are many things that must be checked and replaced if necessary, including row cleaners, disk openers, gauge wheel bearings, closing wheel bearings, seed tubes, seed tube protectors, seed firmers, and the seed singulation unit.
Seed singulation and placement is one of the most important factors in starting the crop off right. If you have a finger pick-up unit, then be sure to take the unit apart and check the fingers, knock-off brushes, faceplates and seed conveyers for wear or missing parts. It would also be wise to take the units to a dealer that has a plant stand unit to check the singulation and to calibrate if necessary. It may be necessary to check vacuum meters for wear as well. Check these units for wear on the eliminators and for air leaks around the seal. Once the units are calibrated, check your seed brand for a seed corn plantability guide. This guide should help determine a starting point for planter settings according to the batch number.
It is important to check corn stands after emergence in order to make replant decisions. Soil insects, seed rots, planter problems, soil compaction and other factors can reduce the number of plants that emerge. You can easily check stand counts by counting the number of plants in 1/1,000 of an acre then multiplying the count by 1,000. Typically, a 75 percent stand is acceptable, and anything less is recommended to replant. It is also important to take into account several factors in replanting such as seed cost, fuel cost, labor costs, machinery costs, etc. A good rule of thumb to remember is to focus on getting your unplanted fields planted first and then look at replanting any other fields second. To learn more, contact your local Pioneer sales representative. ∆
GREG PFEFFER: Agronomist for Pioneer, Dexter, Missouri
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