When preparing for planting, every detail counts

The planting window for agriculture each year is very short. Most growers in the United States only have 6 to 10 good days to sow seeds in the field. Malfunctions, problems, and insufficient preparations that occur during this period can cause even more harm to farmers than one can imagine. In the process of planting corn, just an hour of rest or downtime can cost more than $2000.

Making good agricultural preparations and maintaining agricultural machinery in advance is the best defense for farmers against downtime and disruptions to working hours. Here's how to make every minute count during the planting season.

Value of the Off-season

Think of the off-season like an excellent football team preparing for the upcoming season – it's a time to get ready for success and formulate strategies. The foundation laid by farmers before planting can make all the difference when it comes to the actual farming time.

The best way to maximize the normal working time during the planting season is to handle all the maintenance items on the farmers' seeders during the off-season. About one to two months before planting, take the following measures:

Review the farmer's recommended maintenance schedule manual to avoid any serious problems.

Confirm or carry out all regular maintenance tasks, such as lubricating bearings, oiling chains, and inflating tires.

Check and replace any damaged, worn-out, or missing parts.

Have the seed meter calibrated according to the seeds to be planted in this season.

Update the software, renew any necessary subscriptions, such as GPS software, and perform system checks.

Conduct advanced seeder simulation operations to ensure that everything works properly before entering the field.

Arranging preventive maintenance inspections with the user's dealer is another way to ensure that everything is in the best condition before the planting season begins.

Pay Attention to Calibration

Although most growers visually inspect their equipment, some details are easily overlooked. Check the row unit components, such as the openers and closing wheels, to ensure they are in the best condition and correctly calibrated. The degree of wear of each row unit may be different from that of the previous growing season, causing differences when setting the depth level.

Annual calibration ensures the consistency of planting. Without it, one row unit may plant at a depth of 1.75 inches while its adjacent unit plants at 2.25 inches, which will lead to uneven growth problems and ultimately affect your bottom line.

Small Details with Big Impact

Treat every acre as if it were the first 50 acres. Regularly dig up the seeds to ensure that they are planted at the appropriate depth and spacing. Even a small problem – such as a tag or string in the machinery – can reduce the single-shot rate of a single meter to less than 99%. Every one percentage point drop per acre will cost 1 to 2 bushels.

It is also important to perform daily maintenance tasks, such as lubricating the equipment and checking the tire pressure, to keep the equipment running and avoid downtime.

Even with the best preparations, surprises can still happen. A strong support system like this can minimize downtime:

24/7 dealer support. Many dealers offer hotlines and real-time troubleshooting during peak planting seasons.

Community resources. Agricultural network groups like Facebook can provide quick advice.

Online tools. Websites such as manuals, YouTube, and Precision Planting offer step-by-step solutions.

Planning. Contact the dealer before planting to come up with the best way to quickly get support during the season. Depending on the problem, the best course of action may just be a text with pictures rather than a phone call.

The planting season is a race against time. With thorough preparation, daily vigilance, and reliable support, you can make the most of those crucial 6 to 10 days. Every moment saved today will turn into more dandelions tomorrow. 

Source: Agricultural Machinery News Network