Born and raised in South Carolina, Brice pays homage to North America’s dedicated producers and ranchers through his lyrics. Like Case IH, “Farmer” honors the hardworking men and women who are up at dawn to work the land. With its classic country style, the humble and moving song recognizes the tough, dedicated individuals who provide food and supply raw materials to feed North America and the world. The song debuted at the 2021 Farm Progress Show Concert in Decatur, Illinois.

“I wrote ‘Farmer’ to honor the families and individuals who are up before sunrise, doing the backbreaking work it takes to provide food and resources for homes all across America,” “My goal was to spotlight one of the world’s oldest and most noble professions — a backbone that all of us rely on.”

Brice said.

Case IH is forged by a deep commitment and devotion to the nation’s producers. The company’s equipment and solutions meet growers’ needs during long hours in the field because the innovations are designed and made by farmers, for farmers.

“Agriculture is who we are. It’s the profession and pride of our employees and their families,” 
“We know what it takes to be a farmer and work arm in arm with producers to help them fuel a growing world.”

said Kurt Coffey, Case IH vice president of North America.

The cross-country Label Me Proud tour will span 23 cities, and select stops throughout the tour will feature “Farmer” in the concert setlist.

The post Lee Brice Celebrates Case IH Workers with Farmers Song appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, along with Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the launch of the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund, worth $292.5 million, to help processors of supply-managed commodities increase their competitiveness and resilience in the face of evolving markets. The Supply Management Processing Investment Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to support processors in these sectors to address the impacts of international trade agreements.

“Our government strongly supports supply-managed sectors and, as promised, we are rolling out various programs to compensate producers and processors who have lost market share further to trade agreements. Today, we are announcing the terms of support for dairy, poultry and egg processors to promote investment in their operations and thereby improve their competitiveness and resilience.”

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Through this program, processors of supply-managed commodities will have access to funding to improve their productivity and efficiency through investments in new automated equipment and technology. The Fund leverages private investment in processing plants to accelerate adoption of automation to lower processing costs, address labour shortages and enhance product quality.

“We are pleased to see the government fulfill its commitment to support additional investments in poultry and egg processing plants as a means to mitigate the impact of market access concessions made in CPTPP. The Fund will leverage private investments in processing plants to boost productivity, respond to changing customer expectations and improve our industry’s efficiency, viability and competitiveness.”

Ian McFall, Chair, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council.

Launching today, the two-step application process includes first submitting a Project Summary Form, which will help to determine a project’s eligibility and alignment with program criteria and priorities. Those successful at this stage will be invited to submit a full application.

“Dairy processors welcome the announcement of the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund, which will support the additional investments and innovations necessary for Canada’s dairy processing sector to transition to new market realities resulting from additional market access concessions granted in trade agreements with Europe and Trans-Pacific countries. By supporting investments in processing plants, the Fund will help boost the competitiveness, productivity and long-term sustainability of the Canadian dairy industry.”

Michael Barrett, Chair, Dairy Processors Association of Canada.

Work is underway with supply-managed sectors to determine full and fair compensation for the impacts of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement within the year. By providing processors the support needed, the Government of Canada is ensuring Canadian family farms thrive and remain well positioned for the future.

“Canada’s supply-managed dairy, poultry and egg farmers are part of the backbone of rural regions from across Canada. With the launch of the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund, the Government of Canada is providing critical investments to accelerate the adoption of new automated equipment and technology for processors to improve their productivity and efficiency, and in turn increase their competitiveness and resilience.”

Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

The post New Support Program to Help Canadian Farmers to Face Market Challenges appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 22.7 percent in April compared to 2020, which was the first month of the current sales growth trend, while U.S. self-propelled combine sales fell 3.2 percent. U.S. tractor sales grew across every segment, with the biggest gains in the 100+hp segment, up 29.2 percent. The midsize 40-100hp units were up 28.8 percent, and the sub-40hp class is up 20.8 percent. Four-wheel-drive units grew 15.1 percent, putting them up 12 percent year-to-date.

For Canada, April monthly tractor and combine sales were positive across all segments, with the 4WD segment nearly doubling, up 93.3 percent to 201 units sold, while total farm tractor sales were up 72.3 percent to 3,671 units sold. Self-propelled combines also grew 23.1 percent.

“April was the month we were watching to see how this growth trend would look once it hit the official twelve-month mark,” said Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of Ag Services at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

“Seeing the larger row-crop units leading the way in segment gains shows the pull rising commodity prices have been having on equipment sales.”

The “why” behind record-high AG equipment sales: the floor to Curt Blades

“We’re operating in a very interesting market right now,” says Curt Blades, Senior VP of Ag Services for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

So far, in the first quarter of 2021, total farm tractor unit sales are up more than 50 percent in the U.S., and nearly 60 percent in Canada, according to the AEM Ag Tractor Combine Report released monthly.

“For the last twelve months, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in under-40-horsepower, or small tractor sales in North America, both U.S. and Canada,”

says Blades. “This is due largely to a lot of the industries that have done very well during the pandemic, like luxury items or things that have to do with the home.”

Small tractors fall into that category as well.

Blades says the small tractors that have been spiking are largely going to the suburbs with larger lots to help homeowners haul rocks and dirt, work around trees, and overall improve the property. However, starting later in 2020, larger row-crop and articulated 4WD tractors have also enjoyed increasing sales success.

One reason has been the gradual increase, over the past five years, of the average age of the ag fleet in both the U.S. and Canada. However, with commodity prices increasing, and trade difficulties starting to ease, not only is the replacement market doing well, but farmers are upgrading their operations with newer technology.

“We’re seeing an increase in commodity prices. We’re seeing some of the uncertainty of trade wane,” says Blades. “As a result, people are willing to invest a little more in their farming operations and we’re seeing that reflected in capital equipment.”

There has been some difference in the past 12 months between sales in the U.S. and Canada, however, Blades says it’s typical for one market to “lead” the other.

“In this current recovery, we’ve seen the U.S. has been leading Canada,”

says Blades. “But both markets are particularly strong right now on both sides of the border.”

Blades does advise that equipment inventories having been reduced significantly through these sales trends. However, he says dealers are being proactive, especially when it comes to keeping parts for their service centers in stock, but farmers looking to buy new machines may have to order several months ahead of expected delivery.

“I think you’re seeing a lot of optimism out there. And that optimism is leading to a lot of new equipment purchases, but also farmers thinking about what their businesses are going to look like into the future,” says Blades.

“It is an interesting time that we’re operating in. Tractor sales are strong, commodity sales are particularly good, and optimism is at an all-time high in the farming community.”

Download the last AEM Market Data analysis at the following link:

U.S. report

Canada report

Source: AEM

The post [Video] Farm Tractor Sales Continue To Grow and Exceed 2020 Results, AEM Reports appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Based in Spiritwood, ND, the approximately $350 million crush and refining complex will feature state-of-the-art automation technology and have the capacity to process 150,000 bushels of soybeans per day. Strategically located in a major soybean producing area, ADM’s global logistics network will enable the facility to access both domestic and global markets for soybean oil and meal. The facility is expected to be complete prior to the 2023 harvest.

“ADM’s commitment to preserving and protecting our planet’s resources stretches from the farm gate to the food on our tables and the renewable fuel we put in our vehicles,”

said Greg Morris, president of ADM’s Ag Services & Oilseeds business.

“This exciting new project allows us to partner with North Dakota farmers to further advance the role of agriculture in addressing climate change through the production of low carbon feedstocks for products such as renewable diesel.”

“This soybean processing plant is a gamechanger for North Dakota farmers, adding value and expanding the market for this important crop closer to home while also supporting the production of products such as renewable green diesel right here in North Dakota,”

said North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

“Now, with innovative leader ADM and collaboration with local economic development and multiple state agencies, this exciting value-added project has come to fruition. We’re deeply grateful for ADM’s investment in our state and our highly productive farmers as well as the tireless efforts of so many who helped make this happen, including the Office of State Tax Commissioner, the Jamestown/Stutsman County Development Corp., North Dakota Department of Commerce, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, the state Legislature, and our entire congressional delegation.”

“We’ve been working to bring this new soybean crushing facility to North Dakota and met with key leaders from ADM over two years ago to develop this plan,”

said Senator John Hoeven.

“We’re pleased that this new plant will be open in 2023, as it will provide a significant new market for North Dakota soybean growers, while creating good jobs and economic growth. We appreciate the work of ADM, as well as the governor, the other members of the delegation and the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation for their efforts on this exciting new opportunity.”

ADM also plans to invest approximately $25 million to expand refining and storage capacity at its crush and refining facility in Quincy, Illinois. This project will fully align the location’s refining capabilities with its crush capacity and allow for greater flexibility in meeting the needs of ADM’s food, biofuel and industrial customers. The expanded capacity is expected to be online by Q1 2022.

“ADM has an unparalleled opportunity to lead our industry in this area, and thanks to our extensive operational and commercial expertise, we are well-positioned to add these shovel-ready projects to our network and meet the fast-growing needs of customers worldwide for lower carbon, plant-based solutions,”

Morris added.

The post ADM to Build a New Soy Crushing Facility in North Dakota appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The rapidly evolving carbon credit market is a potential revenue channel for farmers in which they can also contribute to the solution for climate change alongside feeding the world’s growing population.

“Carbon sequestration’s revenue potential for farmers through carbon credits incentivizes adoption, investment, and innovation for the betterment of our climate,”

said Louisa Parker-Smith, AGCO’s Global Sustainability Director.

“With half of the earth’s vegetated land employed in agriculture and abundant soil carbon sequestration potential, it’s understandable that the Ag supply potential is over 30 times today’s total credit demand. However, we expect to see carbon-offset credit demand increase exponentially as surrounding markets mature and companies such as Apple and BP work towards self-imposed climate neutrality deadlines. We are undertaking this research to help create a clear path for farmers to successfully harness the revenue potential and climate benefits of biologic carbon sequestration through cover cropping and other regenerative agriculture practices,”

said Darren Goebel, AGCO’s Global Agronomy and Farm Solutions Director.

“We are confident that these trials will demonstrate easy and cost-effective ways to add these practices into existing crop systems.”

AGCO’s Global Agronomy team is collaborating with the company’s global brands to drive research trials at the Martin Richenhagen Future Farm in Zambia, Africa, and the Swiss Future Farm in Tänikon, Switzerland, as well as several sites in the U.S. and Denmark. The studies focus on best practices for cover crop planting timing (before, during or after harvest), termination methods, species selection, and tillage systems to maximize carbon stores.

Watch the video of AGCO Agronomist Jens Christian Jensen’s visit with Steffen Decker, a fourth-generation farmer at Stydinggaard near Styding, Denmark, to learn about his experience with cover cropping over the last 10 years. The research trials are one component of AGCO’s new sustainability strategy, which includes a focus area on-farm solutions for soil health and carbon capture.

“Our goal is to make regenerative agriculture attainable for farmers. As part of our new strategy, we’re conducting these research trials to inform the development of new products to support soil health and carbon management. We’re committed to supporting farmers as part of the solution to the global challenge of climate change.”

said Parker-Smith.

The post AGCO Introduces New Studies to Optimise Soil Health and Carbon Capture appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Among AFBF’s priorities is amending the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act to give dairy farmers an opportunity to directly vote on Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) issues. Currently, only dairy farmers who are independent and not members of cooperatives may cast individual ballots. Cooperatives may allow their members to vote independently, but then lose their ability to bloc vote on behalf of their non-participating members. AFBF supports allowing modified bloc-voting, which would allow co-op members to vote independently and confidentially, while allowing cooperatives to cast ballots for farmers who choose not to cast an individual ballot.

A Farm Bureau Federal Milk Marketing Order Working Group, consisting of grassroot dairy farmer members, worked for a year to examine the system and develop recommendations to modernize the current FMMO system. Farm Bureau delegates voted to approve the group’s proposals.

“I appreciate all the work our members have done to give individual farmers a stronger voice in the milk pricing and pooling regulations,”

said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

“Farm Bureau has been outspoken on the disparities in the beef and hog markets, and we are just as concerned about the large imbalances in the pricing and pooling of milk – which ultimately cost dairy farmers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Wild price swings during the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted how important fair systems are to the well-being of America’s farmers and ranchers. By giving dairy farmers a seat at the table, we can begin addressing the challenges of the current FMMO system and work toward a more equitable compensation system for the hardworking men and women in the dairy industry.”

Although Federal Milk Marketing Orders have been a pillar of the dairy industry for more than 80 years, outside of the 2018 farm bill, the program has not undergone substantial change in almost two decades.

AFBF Chief Economist Dr. John Newton said,

“COVID-19 has resulted in unprecedented volatility in agricultural markets, especially milk and dairy commodity prices. The price volatility, a record-large spread between prices for the various milk classes, mass de-pooling and record-large milk check deductions take money out of farmers’ pockets at a time when they desperately need it. Moreover, it highlights the urgent need for dairy farmers and the industry to collectively consider ways to modernize the FMMO system and improve prices paid to farmers.”

Other recommendations in the final report include expanding price discovery and examining alternative ways to price fluid milk and improve risk-sharing between farmers and processors.

Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

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The new harrow will please even the most demanding customers with its functionality and thoughtful technical solutions.

A significant advantage of the unit is the unique Zero Maintenance principle. There is no need to think about operating costs anymore, since Ducat-8 has no lubrication points, even on hydraulic cylinder joints. All moving mechanisms of the harrow are equipped with plain bearings made of high-strength wear-resistant polymers. Application of reinforcing materials and special lubricants reduces friction and completely eliminates the lubrication of structures throughout the entire service life of the harrow.

According to numerous requests of farmers for more convenient operation, now it is possible to adjust the depth of the rollers in two ways. In addition to pin adjustment, the depth of roller penetration can be adjusted by means of hydraulics.

The useful features of the harrow include new system of folding to transport dimensions of 3×4 meters, as well as unique function of increasing ground clearance in the transport position by means of withdrawal of support wheel, that makes operation easier. Moreover, replacement rollers are available for different types of soils and conditions of agriculture, including complex ones.

In general, with Ducat-8 farmers will reduce additional costs for maintenance of equipment, reduce the time of field works and minimize unproductive downtime due to repairs and maintenance.

Source: Lozova Machinery

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Would it be surprising to find out this summery city is actually the winter vegetable capital of the world – and that agriculture is its number one industry? The city is Yuma, Arizona; one that most associate with being a dusty, desert landscape is rich and vibrant with agricultural variety and is home to one of the places growers can find RDO Equipment Co. and John Deere tractors.

If it’s hard to believe Yuma is a bountiful agricultural community, just look at Jon Dinsmore’s Instagram account (@thefarmerjon). Yuma is the place where this fourth-generation farmer learned about planting, harvesting, caring for the crops that are now his livelihood.

The Challenge: Year-Round Agriculture Requires Well-Rounded Machines

With 1,200 acres of farmland in Yuma’s diverse and year-round farming area, Dinsmore Farms grows a variety of crops throughout the year.

“We grow a large mix of lettuces and cilantro during ‘produce months’ then alfalfa, Sudan grass, and Durum wheat in the spring and summer,”

Jon said. Along with producing a large variety of crops comes the challenge of finding equipment that can handle the different practices each requires.

“It’s tough to see large tractors parked on the sidelines,”

he explained.

“If they’re not suitable for the crop we’re growing at that time, we can’t use them.”

Jon was always interested in a tractor that could handle a variety of Dinsmore Farms’ practices, particularly its various tillage needs, so it could be productive and working most of the year vs. sitting idle.

The challenge was finding a tractor that could work with the different implements, to go from tilling one season to listing up beds during produce season. If the right equipment was deployed, Jon estimated that it could get them,

“an additional two to three months of work out of the one tractor.”

Smoothing A Rocky Past

As Jon set out to find the right tractor, he had to confront some of his own preconceived opinions. The farm had historically owned and operated a certain brand of equipment, a decision that traces back years before he was ever involved in the business.

“A main reason our farm ran the color and brand we did for so many years is because we were always told John Deere was too expensive,”

Jon said. But he wanted to explore all of his options and set out to find a dealer that could help him get to the bottom of this family folklore and educate him on his options with Deere.

It was then that Jon confronted his second preconceived opinion: dealer reputation. More than two decades ago, the Deere dealer in Yuma wasn’t a great partner to Dinsmore Farms. Jon explained,

“The service aspect just wasn’t there, both my grandfather and father didn’t have positive experiences.”

It’s easy to see how this type of family tradition gets passed down. But Jon says, throughout the years, he noticed the new Deere dealer that entered Yuma in the 1990s, RDO Equipment Co., was different. The way it does business, partners with customers, even its presence in the community have all helped erase the memories of the previous dealership for Jon. That, plus the genuine approach of the team members themselves gave him ample reasons to overcome his long-held convictions. He decided he needed to give RDO the chance to earn business.

About five years ago, Brant Palmer, Precision Product Specialist, Joe Twomey, Regional Sales Manager, and Bobby Walker, Account Manager, began working with Jon, trying to build a relationship and offer solutions they believed would further Dinsmore Farms’ success and solve their unique challenges.

“They gave us opportunities to demo smaller tractors to see if John Deere machines would be a good fit for us,”

Jon said.

“We really liked how the Deere tractors ran, they’re strong machines with more power than what we’d been running.”

That initial experience gave Jon the motivation he needed. As a result of the strong personal relationship plus a new conviction in the power of Deere, Dinsmore Farms converted to three Deere machines for hay work, then made a bigger move two years ago with Deere’s 8345 tillage tractors.

Green equipment would continue to find its way into the Dinsmore Farms’ fleet with another opportunity to address one of Jon’s biggest problems, the earlier-mentioned need for a more productive, robust tractor.

The Solution: Machines

In the spring of 2020, Dinsmore Farms’ Account Manager, Bobby had been talking about Deere’s new 8RX tractor and that it might be the versatile workhorse Jon was looking for, one that could handle multiple tillage practices and give the farm the extra two to three months of productivity it needed.

Coincidentally, Jon had been doing his homework on this tractor. All the online reviews he saw were good. He also follows Precision Product Specialist, Brant on Twitter and enjoyed all the photos and experiences in the valley he was sharing of the tractor.

“Plus,”

he said with a laugh,

“it looked like a cool tractor. It kind of draws out the little kid in you when you see it.”

As they had done in the past, the RDO team arranged for Jon to demo the tractor. Jon was interested to see how the tractor would handle the farm’s various implements, how much impact it had on the field, and how it integrated technology and data management.

The Results Are In

When it came to Jon’s goal of less field impact, the 8RX performed as he’d hoped, saying,

“With the 8RX, I was really surprised it could turn as sharp without leaving as much of a trace. Our experience with two-track tractors was they’d leave a mound of dirt after pivoting at the end of each row.”

In addition to fields looking more aesthetically appealing, the performance cut down on added clean-up work of the mounds.

Jon was pleased with the tractor’s performance, both in terms of having the power to handle implements, as well as the added bonus of comfort.

“It’s a good, stable tractor in the field,”

he said.

“It really grabs the ground and distributes that power.”

Jon continued, pointing out the 8RX could handle a variety of implements, while being fuel-efficient and providing a smooth, comfortable ride.

The technology aspect also impressed him, saying,

“We had no GPS issues. When trying to get an A/B line, the tractor didn’t waver off point, which is a big deal, because with other systems, we’ve experienced down moments when they drop the satellite signal.”

Jon further commented on this key aspect, noting the ease of data sharing from the machines to their devices.

“I can pull up everything right on my phone, be able to monitor hours, keep track of where the machine is, watch all the data easily. RDO also has access so Brant can send us breakdowns and make it easier to understand the usage reports. It takes the pressure off us because, we all know that when work gets busy, you can get complacent. But the reports make it easy to understand the data and get us to best usage.”

Speaking of usage, the real benefit xperienced from the 8RX demo was the one that he’d hoped for and directly affected the bottom line.

“Using the 8RX, we realized we can downsize from running two competitive-brand tractors because it does everything we need,” he said. Jon also recalled his earlier comment, his father’s and grandfather’s previous concern with Deere equipment being too expensive.

“There’s a lot of available technology that gives us more opportunities. That’s on top of the savings that come from getting more production out of a single machine. Overall, it saves us money.”

While not a drawback of the machine, Jon acknowledged one adjustment they’ll have to make with the 8RX is monitoring hours and maintenance due to the tractor running more hours than they’re used to.

“With two tractors we’d normally share the workload, so with the increased hours per machine, we’re cautious not to over use it.”

The demo period went so well that Jon decided to move ahead with a purchase of the 8RX tractor. He’s eager to have it as a permanent fixture in the fleet so he can keep doing what he loves – farming.

The Future of Farming

Jon’s long family farming history is certainly a point of pride but he’s glad he further investigated the family’s folklore on Deere and the local dealer. In selecting his Deere equipment, Jon is starting new family traditions and using those machines to power them forward.

“It wasn’t until I got a little older I really started to grasp and understand what a blessing of an opportunity it was to grow up on the farm,”

he said.

“I always wanted to follow my grandpa and dad, and now I get to provide that same opportunity for my kids.”

Jon says that, even if they don’t share his same passion and follow in the family’s farming footsteps, the lessons learned on the farm will serve them well, no matter the path they take.

“I don’t know if any of them have it in their heart but I hope they find whatever it is that lights the fire like farming does for me,”

he said.

SIDEBAR – Making Farming Social

With more than 5,000 followers and dozens of photos and videos shared every month, Jon has done something many farmers haven’t – in fact, something many Instagram users haven’t: created an engaged fan base that gets a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work and beauty that is farming. And for Jon, the value of social media has nothing to do with how many likes and comments he gets.

“I love to connect with other farmers on Instagram, from everywhere,”

he said.

“It’s especially fun when people tell me my photos remind them of their farm where they grew up, even if they’re not still in the business.”

As a professional farmer, part of the Dinsmore Farms family, Jon also appreciates the business aspect that comes with the connections he has built, opportunities to share ideas and best practices, and see new equipment.

“There’s real business that happens on social media,”

he added.

In addition to Instagram, Jon is also on Twitter (@thefarmerjon).

Source: RDO Equipment Co.

The post RDO Equipment Co. and John Deere Tractors Team Up for a Yuma Farmer appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The analysis company Strat7 Bonamy Finch measured Väderstad’s brand against nine other companies on the Swedish market. 99 percent of farmers surveyed said that they were familiar or very familiar with Väderstad as a company and an overwhelming majority were positive about Väderstad’s brand.

Source: Väderstad

The post Väderstad stands out in survey: “The strongest brand we have seen” appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

AGCO Corporation has released the first 2020 Crop Tour field update.

Soil compacted at planting can reduce yields by restricting root growth and reducing nutrient and water availability. Soil compaction caused by wheel traffic has become an increasing concern among farmers, especially due to the weight of high-capacity, central-fill planters on the center transport wheels. Demonstrating just how much compaction can occur, how it impacts yield, and how to minimize compaction at planting are goals of the AGCO Crop Tour program in 2020.

AGCO agronomists will be observing crop development and measuring yield at Fendt Momentum Crop Tour plots throughout the Corn Belt this summer. In one of their first observations, the agronomists used a soil penetrometer to measure compaction caused by the tractor/planter compared to compaction in areas where the planter did not run (see Figure 1). Penetrometers measure resistance in pounds per square inch as the device is slowly pushed into the ground, simulating a root penetrating soil. The more resistance to the penetrometer, the harder it will be for roots to grow and penetrate the soil. Readings were collected in five locations in Illinois, Ohio, and South Dakota.

The plots were planted with a Fendt Momentum planter equipped with the Load Logic system to distribute the weight of the planter, seed, and liquid fertilizer across all the planter’s tires to lessen the load on the center transport wheels and reduce compaction near the center rows. The planter’s in-line tandem center transport wheels were equipped with very-high flexion tires and an auto tire inflation system that constantly adjusts tire PSI, depending on planter weight to minimize pressure on the soil.

The chart shows that the planter added little to no extra compaction to that caused by the tractor tires. Many studies have shown that the first pass of equipment, such as the planter tractor, produces most of the soil compaction that occurs.

“These initial results support our goal of not causing added compaction with the planter in order to give corn and soybean plants their best shot at optimum yields,”

says Jason Lee, AGCO agronomist and farm solutions specialist.

“We will be taking plant measurements and hand-harvest estimates as the season progresses, along with harvest yield results this fall, to tell the full story.”

Past research verifies yield loss due to compaction at planting

Yield losses from compaction created at planting due to interrow wheel traffic from the tractor and planter can be substantial. In 2011, Pioneer on-farm trials determined average corn yields of rows planted by the outside wing sections of the planter were significantly greater than yields from the rows planted by the center planter segment in nine of 12 locations. In fact, the rows planted by the outside wing segments yielded an average of 11.3 bu/ac more than rows planted by the center section of the planter, due to interrow wheel traffic from the tractor and planter.

Source: AGCO Corp.

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