Woodbine, IA –  It seems like the dust from harvest just settled, and now it’s that time of the year again: planting season preparation. As the old saying goes, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” The experts at E4 Crop Intelligence subscribe to this mantra, just like many growers across the world who wouldn’t trade their way of life for anything. The following article highlights tips for fine-tuning planting equipment in preparation for the season ahead.

Seed Depth

No one year is ever the same, so proper planning and pre-season checks can be the difference between a great and a poor harvest. Various factors such as field location, weather, and type of soil can affect soil conditions, so checking for seed depth or penetration is a great place to start. Make sure to double-check seed placement spacing and seed-to-soil contact. 

Downforce Control

A good rule of thumb for maintaining a good ground contact percentage is 97-100%. Growers will need to adjust the downforce margin to be consistent throughout the field. Additional down-pressure/weight may be needed in firmer soil conditions. Doing so helps the seed opener penetrate to the desired planting depth.

Application Control

There is no shortage of technical advancements in the agricultural industry. When it comes to managing the flow and application of materials, growers can utilize GPS and precision-guided steering to apply inputs precisely where needed and to eliminate waste. Agronomy and crop consulting firms like E4 Crop Intelligence provide industry-leading precision ag products and services to best suit the needs of any operation.

Ask The Experts

While every precision agriculture equipment manufacturer includes product and instructional manuals for reference, sometimes working with a trusted partner can make all the difference and can help minimize stress. The unbiased, independent experts at E4 have more than 25 years of experience and provide each customer with a unique plan, and not a one-size-fits-all approach. Those interested in learning more about E4 Crop Intelligence and its services, can visit E4cropintelligence.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.