April 19, 2003 SOIL/BAE 4213

Variable Seeding Rate Technologies

By Kody R. Featherston

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What is Variable Rate Seeding?

Obtaining the optimum seeding rate for each area of the field to achieve maximum yield.Planting the appropriate variety for each area of a field in order to obtain maximum profitability.Reduce plant populations on soils that have lower yield potential.Secondary crops, fertilizers, and additives that are applied at planting are also included in this scenario.

MORE EFFICIENTLY MATCH SEED TO SOIL.

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History of Varying Seeding Rates

Varying plant populations within fields is an old idea. ~ about 20 years.

Operator switched variable rate planting systems. Farmer would get fatigue and forget to switch population

rate. Incorrect rates were applied in the wrong areas.

It has been given a lift by the availability and usefulness of GPS technology. Precision technology automates the process and reduces

switching errors.

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Basis for Variable Rate Seeding

Not all parts of the field are able to produce the same yield and quality as the rest.Not all parts of the field can support as many plants as the rest.Poor yielding areas may reach maximum economic yields with lower seed populations than other parts of the field.

Tom Doerge, Precision Farming Agronomist, found at

http://www.pioneer.com/usa/agronomy/corn/0905.htm

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Issues affecting Rate/Variety

Spatial ConcernsSoil TypeMoisture AvailabilityFertility, pH, etc.Field TopographyFarming PracticesHeavy Traffic Areas

Rate/Variety ConcernsMatch the rate and variety with the appropriate soil type.Varieties with higher tolerance to normally lower yielding conditions should be planted in those areas.Seeding rates for an area should be a function of the ability to produce.

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Variable Seeding Rate Devices

Can be calibrated in the shop without going to the field.Set the seeding rate, ground speed, and linear distance for the microprocessor to run.Collect seeds as they are dropped from the rows units, count the seeds and compare with the expected number.Calibrate the planter as needed.

Not only can the operator calibrate seed delivery, but also pesticide and starter fertilizer application rates also.

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GPS Map-Based Seeding

Three common precision farming components

GreenStar - SeedStar or other monitors

GPS Receiver

GIS software data base

Procedures

Rates and varieties are predetermined from data analysis

Monitor/Processor relates GPS position with rate

Seeder adjusts to desired seeding rate

The applied rate and position is recorded

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Variable Rate Metering

Flexi-Coil's Down Draft Meter

Agitator bar prevents bridging for a constant supply of product to the meter roller

Product is divided into equal sections one for each primary line in the

distribution system

Air and product are mixed in a parallel flow

The Meter is driven by hydraulic torque drives in tandem with electric motors for rapid adjustment and precise control

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Variable Rate Metering

Air Velocity Control

Air velocity control gives you versatility

Accurately apply a variety of products at precise rates

Apply different products with different weights switch products and change

air velocity easily

Three products can be planted at the same time

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John Deere SeedStar®

The 1720 16Row30 Planters have SeedStar monitor as base equipment. SeedStar monitor is optional equipment on all other planters.

SeedStar monitor system is a seed population monitor used in conjunction with the GreenStar Display.

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John Deere SeedStar®

Stored information

Population charts

Vacuum settings for all seed disks

Row population/spacing

Average population

Vaccuum level

Liquid fertilizer manifold pressure

Total acreage

Tractor speed

Acre counter

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SeedStar® variable driveOperator can program up to six different seed rates into the system.Hydraulic controlled drive controlling the motor speed.

When a new planting rate is selected the microprocessor energizes a solenoid valve changing the oil flow rate in return changing the speed of the motor.The hydraulic motor speed sensor provides a signal to the microprocessor ensuring the system is delivering the correct new seed rate.

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Other Variable Rate Brands

GPS Ready

AGCO’s Fieldstar

AFS planters from CASE IH

Orthman’s Adjust-A-Rate

Seed Manager

Accu-Rate

Non-GPS

Agri-Tronix M3

KPM I and II from Kinze

Deluxe Early Riser – Case IH

Seed Flow II

Seed Check

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Sources

Farm Industry News http://www.farmindustrynews.com

John Deere http://www.deere.com/en_US/ag/servicesupport/

ams/map-based-seeding.html

Flexi-Coil http://www.dennill.com/Flexi-Coil.html

April 19, 2003 SOIL/BAE 4213

Questions?