Calibrate Your Corn Planter

 If you’re going to plant and grow corn, you want to listen up. I’m David Sparks and I’ll be right back. An increasing number of Idaho farmers are raising corn for feed or ethanol or something important like back yard barbecues, Before corn growers get into the field – there are several planter settings they should check. Extension specialists are reminding growers to check their corn planter to make sure everything is set up correctly – as planters are likely not well-adjusted to plant the first field this spring. Here’s Ag Extension specialist Bill Halfman discussing equipment: “A lot of planters have different linkages and adjustments that keep the planter level across working with the planter and we need to make sure those linkage bars are parallel to the ground and adjusted correctly otherwise we end up with excessive pressure at one end of the planter.”

 Uneven emergence will affect crop performance since late emerging plants can’t compete with larger, early emerging plants. Halfman says it’s also important to adjust the down pressure of each row unit. In fact – some say that’s one of the most critical planter adjustments. If the planter comes with row cleaners – Halfman says the grower needs to make sure they make enough contact with the soil. Halfman says it’s a good idea to test the row monitors on the planter too. He notes electronics don’t always function properly.??By making sure the planter is in good working order – Halfman says growers can save time and money – and potentially make more money at harvest time.