Farmers tend to pay more attention to combine setup than seeder setup, says corn planter specialist Bill Lehmkuhl.
However, considering the importance of a uniform plant stand to corn yields, they should spend more time ensuring the corn planter is level, the down force is effective and the speed is optimal for seed placement.
A loss of 1,000 ears of corn in one acre translates into a yield loss of five to seven bushels per acre, said Lehmkuhl. At a conservative $6.50 per bu., such losses quickly add up.
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Lehmkuhl spoke in Lethbridge March 14 at the third of three corn planter clinics organized by DuPont Pioneer.
The consultant with Ohio-based Precision Agri Services shared planter tips with 120 farmers, most of whom grow corn for silage rather than grain.
Several models of planters were available for growers to view and for Lehmkuhl to use in illustrating his points on proper setup.
A universal truth across all models is to level the planter in the field rather than in the shop or yard. As well, leveling should be done when the planter is in motion, which means assistance will be required.
Lehmkuhl said all corn planters now on the market are designed for tilled systems, so farmers in minimum and zero till conditions common to the Prairies will have to take that into account.
Adrian Moens, a southern Alberta DuPont Pioneer seed representative, agreed with Lehmkuhl’s assessment of more farmer time spent on combines than seeders.
“They figure if they can put it in the ground, it’s going to grow,” he said.
“There’s a reason why we’re planting with a corn planter and not with an air seeder nowadays. The singulation of the seed is very critical.”
Moen said many southern Alberta farmers don’t own corn planters, but it will pay off to hire custom seeders who have specialized equipment.
“That will easily make up the extra yield and quality as well on your silage,” Moens said.
Air seeders can be used if corn silage is the goal, but even in those cases a corn planter is the better option, he said. Air seeders can plant the desired 34,000 seeds per acre, but stand is often uneven, which reduces the number of ears harvested and creates uneven maturity.
In his area, which stretches from Coaldale to Pincher Creek and southward, Moens said 95 percent of those who grow corn are using it for silage.
“You want to maximize your grain content for your silage,” he said.
“There’s two reasons why you’re growing corn silage versus barley. One of them is yield per acre, but also your starch per acre. And starch is only going to come from grain content.”
That means management to maximize ears and kernels per ear is important for feed quality.
