ASK THE AGRONOMIST BLOG

For Stine^® Seed Farm manager Steve Luther, properly inspecting every planter in the farm’s fleet is essential as it’s where the crop season begins.

“Your planter has to be in tip-top shape as it’s where the inception of the crop starts,” says Luther. “You need to ensure the seed is getting into the ground at the right singulation and you have an ideal seed trench to encourage proper emergence.”

Luther and his team began planter maintenance in early January. While each planter is different, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s settings and instructions closely to ensure the equipment is prepared for the season.

Start inside then move outward

Luther recommends starting with the inside mechanics of the planter before moving outward. His annual planter prep checklist includes:

• Measure the disc blades. Disc blades are essential to help set the bottom of the trench. Recommendations are different for each planter brand, but you want to ensure the disc blades have good contact with the soil for planting and do not need to be replaced. Consult with the manufacturing specs for proper measurements.
• Check the condition of the scrapers. Disc blade scrapers help clear dirt and other residue for the disk openers to properly operate.
• Maintain the disc blade openers. The disc blade openers need to be in proper working order and cleared of debris to dig the soil trench and maintain an ideal seed wall. If your discs are worn, chipped or cracked, it’s important to replace them.
• Review the gauge wheels. Gauge wheels have a lip inside of them that runs against the blade. These act as a “squeegee” that runs against the disc blade opener. If they are worn, they will not create a firm sidewall for a proper trench. “You don’t want your sidewall to be too loose,” Luther notes. “Gauge wheels help prevent that from happening.”
• Check the closing wheels for wear and tear. Closing wheels are an essential component of the planter. They follow the disc blade openers and close the seed furrow to protect the seed from the outside elements and are designed to create and firm seed bed with good seed-to-soil contact.
• Change the delivery belt and or seed tubes. If your planter has a seed cartridge delivery belt, replace the belt when needed. “Because of the number of acres we plant on the farm, we typically replace the belt every year,” notes Luther. “Some planters may not have belts; they may have seed tubes that require inspecting.”
• Retorque the seed plates. Check that the torque in your seed bowls/plates spins properly. You don’t want the seed bowls or plates to spin too freely or have a lot of drag. Set them to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The seed plates are critical to delivering the seed from the box/hopper and into the seed tubes.
• Check the components inside the seed meters. Look for wear and tear. Inspect the brushes to ensure they are still in good condition so they can separate the seed from the seed chamber and the drop chamber. Inspecting the seed eliminators is very important as well. This allows for better singulation and helps avoid seed doubles. Seed meter lid seals are often overlooked; make sure that they are not worn down. These seals need to contact the seed plate. Lastly, inspect your knock-off wheels to make sure they are operating correctly; it can be common to have springs either worn or missing on the knock-off arm.
• Row cleaners. Whether you are a minimum till, no-till or conservation tiller, you likely have row cleaners on your planter. Make sure all row cleaners are functioning well and preset to the manufacturers’ recommendations to help clear rows of any unnecessary residue.
• Check spray systems. Some planters are equipped to handle in-furrow treatments. Make sure the spray system works and is calibrated correctly on these types of planters.
• Ensure all other equipment is serviced before planting. At Stine, we have each tractor and our planting equipment serviced before the planting season; this includes updating the software. “Manufacturers often update software, so it’s important to have them calibrate your systems with the latest software updates,” notes Luther. “I’ve had a software error knock us out for an entire day in the field, and it’s something that could have been avoided if we had gotten the software update before we started planting.”
• Do a test run on all equipment. “We test-run everything on the farm at least once. Whether it’s in the driveway or out in the shop, you can simulate how equipment will run in the field,” says Luther. “Timing is of the essence during the busy planting season. It’s important to try to eliminate what could go wrong before it does.” 

Seed trenches are critical

One important element that is often overlooked is the seed trench (or furrow). Luther notes it’s necessary that the seed trench is firm, and that your closing wheel does its job to ensure the best seed-to-soil contact. This is critical for getting good seedling root growth and for the early stages of the plant, including emergence and standability.

“Don’t just check your seed-to-soil contact in one field; you need to check it every day,” says Luther. “Conditions change daily, and the mechanics can work differently depending on soil moisture, so you need to assess what that looks like each day and adjust your equipment accordingly to achieve the best seed trench.”

Luther adds that it’s important to know the extended weather forecast, including the ground temps and ambient forecast. You need to ensure the soil is warm enough to get the seed germinated. It’s easy to get seed in the ground on a warm spring day, but the weather can turn quickly. Cold, wet soil is a recipe for poor stands and lower yields.

“You want your seed to germinate,” Luther notes. “Planting depth can depend on soil structure and the moisture level. For instance, last year was a dry year, so Stine had to plant corn at 2.5 to 2.75 inches versus the recommended 2-inch range to get that seed to the moisture it needed.”

Luther notes you don’t want to get any deeper than that on corn, but you need to be mindful of how the weather and soil structure can impact planting and the seed trench.

To learn more about planting equipment maintenance or if you need assistance with your planting plan, contact your Stine sales rep or agronomist.

Tuesday marked the first day of spring. As temperatures continue to rise, don’t be tempted to change up your planting plan without careful consideration. Even if one field is ready before another, product recommendations are purposeful, and planting shouldn’t be rushed.

“While there are some benefits of early planting, you never want to sprint to be the first in the field,” says Bill Kessinger, technical agronomist for Stine®. “Mother Nature can turn in an instant, leaving crops susceptible to chilling and unfavorable soil conditions. Patience is critical this time of year.”

Dangers of planting too early

Planting early can put crops at risk for issues like imbibitional chilling, uneven emergence or sidewall compaction. Each limits the crop’s ability to thrive and produce a viable root structure to support a healthy plant.

Corn and soybeans can be affected differently if not planted into an ideal seedbed. Corn takes approximately 90–120 growing degree days (heat units) for a plant to emerge, but that all depends on soil moisture and temperatures. Typically, corn needs a consistent temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit and good soil moisture to encourage germination and even emergence.

“If corn sits in the ground longer than it should, the plant is forced to live off the energy and nutrients stored in the seed, which doesn’t allow for a good start. This can impact the crop during the early vegetative stages and weaken its root structure in the long haul,” says Tony Lenz, Stine technical agronomist.

Specifically, if corn receives cold moisture within 48 hours of planting, it can disrupt the germination process as it imbibes 30% of its weight in water before it germinates. This is called imbibitional chilling. It can lead to issues with the developing embryo, including corkscrew effect of the mesocotyl, which can result in the death of the seedling.

Soybeans are also susceptible to chilling injury as the cool temps can affect the seed coat, or the protective layer of the soybean. While soybeans are better equipped to handle chilling, it can cause uneven or delayed emergence. 

Product allowances

Agronomists work hard to help put the right product on the right field. Product recommendations are intentional and require specific conditions and growing degree days to achieve their maximum yield potential.

“Stine agronomists and research experts spend years studying the products we place in growers’ fields,” says Lenz. “We know firsthand the best conditions for optimal growth and carefully help our growers select the right fit for their field. But what we can’t account for is when growers do not plant within the timeline or in conditions recommended for that specific product.”

Whether you’re considering planting early or late, consult with your local Stine sales rep or agronomist to see how timing changes may impact the specific hybrids or varieties selected for your fields.

Other planting considerations

In addition to sticking to your original planting plan, Stine agronomists recommend several tactics to help keep #Plant24 on track. 

• Make sure soil conditions are ideal before planting. Soil temps should hold at a consistent 50+ degrees Fahrenheit for several days, and the extended weather forecast should be favorable for planting (e.g., no dips in temps or cold precipitation for the first few days after planting).
• Pay attention to moisture levels in the soil to avoid sidewall compaction. Avoid planting into too wet soil. This can result in uneven emergence or roots that grow sideways versus straight down.
• Consider seed treatments to protect the seed. Consult with an agronomist if you have concerns about insect or disease pressure that may affect your fields this year as a result of the warm, dry winter.
• Know the restrictions for federal crop insurance and planting dates. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, “Farmers with Federal crop insurance will lose replant coverage if they plant before the earliest allowable planting dates specified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency.” This is true even if growers need to replant for reasons other than freeze damage or poor emergence.
• Remember planter maintenance to avoid mid-planting season breakdowns that will impact when and how you plant seed. This can also ensure proper seed-to-soil contact for optimal planting depth and emergence.
• Be flexible. Weather changes may alter agronomic recommendations for your crop. Lean on your local seed rep or agronomist for assistance throughout the busy season.

As we forge ahead to #Plant24, don’t forget to have patience and stick to your planting plan. If you have any questions along the way, contact your Stine sales rep or agronomist. Here’s to a successful planting season!

2023 taught us that no season is the same and we must be flexible to adapt to what Mother Nature brings our way. The drought in the Corn Belt and South threw a wrench in growers’ in-season plans. Fortunately, Stine® genetics persisted and even thrived under pressure.

“Yields were still there,” says Mark Johnson, Stine corn technical agronomist. “I think it goes back to breeding. What we’re doing with our corn and soybean genetics and how we’ve progressed over the years … The genetics have improved and are better equipped to adapt to these extreme situations.”  

Stine has spent decades researching and developing high-yielding genetics in various maturity ranges for different environments. While genetic selection is important in any given year, so are the cultural practices you pair with them.

“As we advance, we’re seeing different trends of what we can do to support genetics,” says Johnson. “We can utilize no-till, strip tilling … We can do things so that we’re not letting the moisture escape so readily when the drought sets in.”

Waiting for the right time to plant is critical to start the season off right, Johnson notes.

Early planting has become common practice for both corn and soybeans. Early planting can benefit the crop if the extended weather forecast is favorable. However, in some cases, like we saw in the South last year, it can lead to replant.

“In the South down in Louisiana and southern Arkansas, there was an early warm up in February,” says Johnson “Some people planted too quickly, even the third week in February. Then, a cold snap came back with a vengeance. Thousands of acres were affected, and replant came into play. No matter what the weather might be, you need to wait.”

Planting into cold soils can be especially challenging for corn and soybeans as the seed is vulnerable to imbibitional chilling, leading to uneven emergence. Corn is particularly at risk. If it sits in the ground longer than it should, the plant is forced to live off the energy and nutrients stored in the seed.

In an April 2023 article, Stine technical agronomist Tony Lenz noted corn imbibes 30% of its weight in water before it germinates. It can severely disrupt the germination process if it imbibes cold moisture within 24–48 hours after planting. It can also lead to issues with the developing embryo, including corkscrew effect of the mesocotyl, which can result in the death of the seedling.

Planting into cold soils can impact the early vegetative stages of the plant and weaken its root structure in the long haul. Also, planting into cold and wet soils can lead to sidewall compaction, limiting your crop’s ability to thrive during the growing season. When in doubt, it’s best to wait until soils are consistently 50+ degrees Fahrenheit for more than a few days and the extended weather forecast is clear of cold rains for 24–48 hours after your anticipated planting dates.

The growing season ahead

Knowing what 2023 brought to corn and soybean growers, Mark Johnson has a few tips for the upcoming planting and growing season.

1. Know your fields. What corn hybrids and soybean varieties have worked in the past? Which ones haven’t panned out? Know what genetics work best in each field. Also, understand the soil on each field. If you’re unsure what lies below, consider soil testing. And review what diseases and pests could be present and what cultural practices work for each field. Consider crop rotation where it makes sense.
   
   
2. Have a game plan. Sit down, go through your options for each field and map out a plan. Study your soil sample results to determine your fertilizer needs, including your pH levels and how that impacts your inputs. Plan for all the variables that will give your soil the best chance to maximize yield. Have a game plan to help you control the things in front of you and be proactive versus reactive in-season.
   
   
3. Leverage your relationships with your seed reps. Stine regional sales agronomists and independent sales reps are available year-round to discuss every part of the crop production process with you. They can help you with product selection, seed treatment options, inputs such as fertilizers and insecticides, weed control, and any other variable before planting begins and throughout the growing season.

To learn more about the year that was and what growers can do to get ahead in 2024, listen to Johnson’s episode of the Stine Seedcast wherever you get your podcasts. To speak to a Stine rep about your planting plan before the season kicks off, find your local rep here.