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Variable Rate Seeding Technologies

Variable Rate Seeding Technologies. Definition. Variable rate seeding is practice of planting varying crop populations based upon yield potential. Why vary the population?. Variation in yield potential due to: Soil type/water holding capacity. Soil pH. Depth of soil profile.

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Variable Rate Seeding Technologies

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  1. Variable Rate Seeding Technologies

  2. Definition • Variable rate seeding is practice of planting varying crop populations based upon yield potential.

  3. Why vary the population? • Variation in yield potential due to: • Soil type/water holding capacity. • Soil pH. • Depth of soil profile. • “Due to spatial variability optimal dryland corn population in Oklahoma can easily range from 18,000-22,000 plts/ac in a single field.” Michael Marlow, Dekalb / Asgrow Area Agronomist. • On farm research potential. • Plant strips of varying population and yield check to find optimum population for area.

  4. Components • Data to base seeding rate upon. • Prescription map generating software. • Variable rate controller. • Variable speed planter drive and control. • GPS receiver.

  5. Process • Determine basis for adjusting population and generate prescription maps. • Load maps into rate controller. • Rate controller sends desired planter drive speed to drive controller. • Drive controller varies hydraulic flow at the hydraulic motor on the planter transmission.

  6. Data Flow AgLeader Pf Advantage Rate Controller www.agleader.com Population Prescription www.pioneer.com Rawson Hydraulic Variable Speed Planter Drive www.rawsoncontrol.com Rawson Planter Drive Control www.rawsoncontrol.com

  7. Advantages • Reduced seed cost. • Yield may actually increase in drought prone regions of field due to less biomass. • May allow more acres to be planted when seed is limited. • Flat rate population is infinitely adjustable.

  8. Example Economic Return • Seed Savings • Double-stack hybrid - $190 / 80,000 sds = $0.00238/sd • $0.00238/sd * 4,000 sds/ac = $9.52/ac savings • $9.52/ac *0.5 (low population not needed on all acres) = $4.74/ac

  9. Example Economic Return • System cost - $7,150 • FarmTrac and Farmsite - $600 • AgLeader Pf Advantage - $2,400 • Rawson Drive and Controller - $4,150 • Breakeven - $7,150 / $4.76/ac = 1,502 ac • NOTE: This budget is intended for adjusting only for low producing areas and does not account for yield boost due to reduction in foliage overgrowth.

  10. Disadvantages • Initial cost • Increased operator requirements • More equipment = Greater chance of problems during planting

  11. Conclusion • Variable rate seeding technology will most likely benefit those with large in field spatial variability. • However, for the technology to work one must identify the variability and determine the correct population for each area. • Planter operators must be able to use the equipment.

  12. Questions?

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