1. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 4213 Variable Seeding Rate Technologies By Kody R. Featherston

2. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 42132 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.

3. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 42133 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.

4. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 42134 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

5. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 42135 Issues affecting Rate/Variety Spatial Concerns Soil Type Moisture Availability Fertility, pH, etc. Field Topography Farming Practices Heavy Traffic Areas Rate/Variety Concerns Match 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.

6. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 42136 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.

7. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 42137 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

8. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 42138 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

9. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 42139 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

10. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 421310 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.

11. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 421311 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

12. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 421312 SeedStar® variable drive Operator 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.

13. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 421313 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

14. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 421314 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

15. April 19, 2003SOIL/BAE 4213 Questions?