June 3, 2015

Assess seeder performance

This canola was seeded 2+ inches deep as a result of poor drill settings. Dry soil conditions made the situation worse.
This canola was seeded 2+ inches deep as a result of poor drill settings. Dry soil conditions made the situation worse.

Did the seeding tool meet expectations this year? A moist soil bed and rain in the days after seeding can make any seeding job look passable. Problems are more obvious when the crop is under stress.

Look for emergence patterns that may indicate an issue with depth control, leveling, compaction, packing or speed that can be adjusted for next year. Crusting could also be a factor if went in too deep or was packed too firm. If growers tested a few strips without seed-placed fertilizer, for example, see if that small area looks better or worse than the neighbouring pass.

Checking for seeder performance issues is just one of the top 10 things to look for after emergence.

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