11 Preseason No-Till Planter Tips

Pioneer shared a preseason planter checklist to help no-tillers make sure their planter is working perfectly when they’re ready to roll this spring. Make sure to level the planter and check if bushings are tight. Start with fresh, lubricated chains and check them daily. 

Calibrate corn meters, which can help add 6 or more bushels per acre. Ensure good contact between double-disc openers, and check depth wheels for cracks and wear. Inspect seed tubes for wear at the bottom. Consider an alternative to rubber closing wheels for improved trench closing, and align closing wheels properly. Adjust row cleaners so they gently sweep residue without moving the soil. Finally, organize your field plans, seed, monitors, equipment and whatever else is needed for a successful season.

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No-Till Costs 52% Less Than Tillage

Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal’s field agronomist, used custom rates from Iowa State University to determine the dollar and labor costs of adopting various tillage systems. No-till costs $21 per acre to implement on 1,000 acres and 258 hours of labor per year on that same acreage. 

To compare, conventional horizontal tillage costs $44 per acre to implement on 1,000 acres and 419 labor hours per year. Straight no-till is less than half of the cost of conventional tillage, according to Ferrie’s analysis.

No-Tiller Receives Conservation Award

The American Soybean Association (ASA) presented Les Seiler of Fayette, Ohio, with the 2023 National Conservation Legacy Award at the Commodity Classic farm show…