THE SCIENCE OF SEEDING

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G R E AT P L A I N S THE SCIENCE OF SEEDING 5 AGRONOMIC PRINCIPLES THAT ARE PROVEN TO INCREASE YIELDS VERTICAL TILLAGE FALL VERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING NUTRIENT PLACEMENT PLANTER ACCURACY L TILLAGE FALL

1 G R E AT P L A I N S THE SCIENCE OF SEEDING 5 AGRONOMIC PRINCIPLES THAT ARE PROVEN TO INCREASE YIELDS VERTICAL TILLAGE FALL VERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING NUTRIENT PLACEMENT PLANTER ACCURACY L TILLAGE FALL VERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING NUTRIENT PLACEMENT PLANTER ACCURACY TWIN-ROW SPACING TILLAGE SPRING NUTRIENT PLACEMENT PLANTER ACCURACY TWIN-ROW SPACING NT PLACEMENT PLANTER ACCURACY TWIN-ROW SPACING ER ACCURACY TWIN-ROW SPACING TWIN-ROW

# 1 VERTICAL TILLAGE FALL REMOVE LAYERS If you are transitioning from conventional tillage to vertical

Density layers are caused by plowing, disking, and field cultivating (horizontal tillage).

$of 6" below the surface. Point design that promotes fracture without blowout is important as well.$ If your top soil won t allow 15" depth, consider 24" spacing with 10" to 12" depth.

If your top soil won t allow 15" depth, consider 24" spacing with 10" to 12" depth.

competitive points with less surface disturbance.

layers, you need to maintain them from year to year.

$Turbo-Chisel is a great tool to remove compaction layers up to 12" deep and horizontally fracture a$

2 # 1 VERTICAL TILLAGE FALL REMOVE LAYERS If you are transitioning from conventional tillage to vertical tillage or no-till, the first step is to remove all density layers. Density layers are caused by plowing, disking, and field cultivating (horizontal tillage). To achieve the desired results, you must shatter the ground horizontally between the shanks a minimum of 6" below the surface. Point design that promotes fracture without blowout is important as well. In general, your depth needs to be half of your shank spacing (13" to 15" deep for 30" spacing). If your top soil won t allow 15" depth, consider 24" spacing with 10" to 12" depth. PLOW DISK FIELD CULTIVATOR ROOTS CAN T PENETRATE Great Plains no-till points shatter better than competitive points with less surface disturbance. RESET PROFILE UNRESTRICTED ROOTS MAINTAIN DENSITY & MANAGE RESIDUE Once you have removed all density layers, you need to maintain them from year to year. At times, you have to harvest or plant in less-than-ideal conditions. Fall is a good time to fix those issues for the next planting season. Turbo-Chisel is a great tool to remove compaction layers up to 12" deep and horizontally fracture a minimum of 4" deep. It sizes residue, dislodges root balls, incorporates residue, and leaves a smooth, level surface for one follow-up pass in the spring. This is an excellent method for continuous corn-on-corn operations. 2 GREAT PLAINS SYSTEMS APPROACH

FALL RESIDUE MANAGEMENT When density layers are not present but residue management is needed, a pass with a

A shallow, vertical tillage tool needs to do several things well. It needs to: 1.

Size residue into planter-manageable pieces. 3. Not add horizontal layers. 4.

6. Work soil to a consistent depth across the entire width of the tool.

CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION JUST BECAUSE IT SAYS IT'S "VERTICAL TILLAGE" DOESN'T MAKE IT VERTICAL

Most are retrofitted disks with low concavity fluted disk blades.

3 FALL RESIDUE MANAGEMENT When density layers are not present but residue management is needed, a pass with a vertical tillage tool like Turbo-Till, Turbo-Chopper, or Turbo-Max will not only size residue but also maintain a uniform density. These machines also work great in a no-till operation to manage residue without burying a lot of it. A shallow, vertical tillage tool needs to do several things well. It needs to: 1. Open up the soil profile to allow water to be absorbed instead of running off. 2. Size residue into planter-manageable pieces. 3. Not add horizontal layers. 4. Get the residue in contact with the soil for faster decomposition. 5. Lace and anchor residue to the ground. 6. Work soil to a consistent depth across the entire width of the tool. Turbo-Till and Turbo-Chopper work the ground vertically. Cupped blades throw soil sideways. CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION JUST BECAUSE IT SAYS IT'S "VERTICAL TILLAGE" DOESN'T MAKE IT VERTICAL TILLAGE. A lot of companies are now marketing tools claiming to be Vertical Tillage. Most are retrofitted disks with low concavity fluted disk blades. Basically they are high speed disks that create density layers and ridges just like a disk. YIELD RESPONSE In a five-year Farm Journal study, vertical tillage corn out-yielded conventional tillage corn by 12.7 bu/ac. Some soil types did better some a little less but all benefited from vertical tillage. Source: Farm Journal July/August 2001 SUB-SOILER TOOLS TO USE TURBO-CHISEL TURBO-TILL TURBO-MAX VERTICAL TILLAGE FALL 3

$As the blade rotates further, it fractures the surrounding soil.$ As it leaves the ground, it throws soil on top of the residue, lacing it to the

Because there is no concavity in the blades, there is no back side pressure to

VERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING Tillage passes in the spring have to do three things

MANAGE RESIDUE The second job of a spring vertical tillage tool is to manage residue.

moved with a row cleaner to flow through the planter.

travel, then the chopper reels chop it perpendicular to the coulters.

75" pieces respectively. TURBO-CHOPPER TURBO-TILL TURBO-MAX 3.

4 # 2 1. MAINTAIN DENSITY As shown in the illustration below, the patented Turbo blade flutes enter the soil perpendicular to the ground, cleanly cutting the residue. As the blade rotates further, it fractures the surrounding soil. As it leaves the ground, it throws soil on top of the residue, lacing it to the ground. Because there is no concavity in the blades, there is no back side pressure to change the density. VERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING Tillage passes in the spring have to do three things correctly to achieve the most yields. They are: 2. MANAGE RESIDUE The second job of a spring vertical tillage tool is to manage residue. It should chop the residue into planter-manageable sized pieces that can be easily moved with a row cleaner to flow through the planter. The image below shows how the Turbo- Chopper slices residue in the direction of travel, then the chopper reels chop it perpendicular to the coulters. Turbo-Till and Turbo-Max, on the other hand, size residue to 5" and 3.75" pieces respectively. TURBO-CHOPPER TURBO-TILL TURBO-MAX 3. CREATE THE PERFECT SEEDBED Only Great Plains has the patented rolling spike harrow and reel combination. It is arguably one of the most important parts of a vertical tillage tool and one that is overlooked by most competitive vertical tillage tools. The rolling spike vertically works the ground between Turbo blades, creating a smooth, level surface on top AND at seeding depth to ensure even emergence. TURBO-TILL Source: Farm Journal GREAT PLAINS SYSTEMS APPROACH

$fracture the soil, and create$ planting depth for excellent,

5 NOT ALL VERTICAL TILLAGE TOOLS ARE EQUAL CONCAVE (CUPPED) BLADES The backside of concave fluted disk blades create compaction layers similar to a disk blade. They also create ridges because they move dirt horizontally. INDIVIDUAL SPRING COULTERS Straight coulters on coil springs work soil vertically but create an inconsistent seedbed because they are forced up in denser soil and tough stalks and work deeper in light soil. TURBO-TILL/TURBO-MAX/ TURBO-CHOPPER These units vertically cut residue, fracture the soil, and create a perfectly smooth seedbed at planting depth for excellent, uniform emergence. Without compaction layers, roots are allowed to reach nutrients and moisture. RUMBLE STRIP RUMBLE STRIP SMOOTH TOOLS TO USE ULTRA-TILL TURBO-CHOPPER TURBO-TILL TURBO-MAX VERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING 5

# 3 TIMING IS EVERYTHING All applied N fertilizer sources eventually convert completely to the nitrate-n form. It is in this form that it is taken up by the plant.

Application timing, temperature, and the amount of rainfall influence the rates of both leaching and denitrification.

The shorter time period means there are fewer opportunities for heavy rainfall events and nitrate-n loss.

Iowa State University OCTOBER 1 ST APPLICATION - 0% STILL IN AMMONIUM FORM BY MAY 1 ST (No Inhibitor) - 35% STILL IN AMMONIUM FORM BY MAY 1 ST (With N-Serve Inhibitor)

ANHYDROUS COULTER The high-speed anhydrous coulter revolutionizes the application of anhydrous ammonia with a 22" coulter blade for precise, high-speed placement.

6 # 3 TIMING IS EVERYTHING All applied N fertilizer sources eventually convert completely to the nitrate-n form. It is in this form that it is taken up by the plant. It is also in this form that nitrate-n is at risk of leaching and denitrification. Application timing, temperature, and the amount of rainfall influence the rates of both leaching and denitrification. NUTRIENT PLACEMENT One strategy to manage the risk of nitrate-n loss is to apply the fertilizer in the spring just prior to planting (pre-plant), or side-dress N fertilizer after planting. The main reason that pre-plant and side-dress N applications are more efficient is that there is a shorter window between application and plant needs. The shorter time period means there are fewer opportunities for heavy rainfall events and nitrate-n loss. Potential For N Loss - Fall-Applied Anhydrous* *Based on Fate of Anhydrous Ammonia in Iowa Soils computer simulation model. Warmer-than-normal scenario. Iowa State University OCTOBER 1 ST APPLICATION - 0% STILL IN AMMONIUM FORM BY MAY 1 ST (No Inhibitor) - 35% STILL IN AMMONIUM FORM BY MAY 1 ST (With N-Serve Inhibitor) NOVEMBER 1 ST APPLICATION - 0% STILL IN AMMONIUM FORM BY MAY 1 ST (No Inhibitor) - 50% STILL IN AMMONIUM FORM BY MAY 1 ST (With N-Serve Inhibitor) HIGH-SPEED COULTER ANHYDROUS COULTER The high-speed anhydrous coulter revolutionizes the application of anhydrous ammonia with a 22" coulter blade for precise, high-speed placement. These new models apply and seal anhydrous ammonia up to 6" deep at a speed of 8 miles per hour, providing unmatched speed and productivity with minimal loss and maximum efficiency. APRIL 1 ST APPLICATION - 50% STILL IN AMMONIUM FORM BY MAY 1 ST (No Inhibitor) - 70% STILL IN AMMONIUM FORM BY MAY 1 ST (With N-Serve Inhibitor) SEALERS Anhydrous losses at time of application can be minimized with knife sealers. Great Plains has designed three different sealer attachments designed to seal the knife slot to improve Nitrogen retention. CONCAVE SPIDER WHEELS ROLLING BASKET 6 GREAT PLAINS SYSTEMS APPROACH

A TOTALLY NEW APPROACH A new approach to fertilizer application is the 3-coulter option with a double row cleaner.

cleaner. The result...precision-placed fertilizer in a clean, warm, fast-emerging seedbed for the planter to precisely plant the seed in relationship to the fertilizer.

TWIN-ROW APPLICATION PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER APPLICATION NEW APPROACH LEGEND STARTER FERTILIZER PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER APPLICATION PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER

7 A TOTALLY NEW APPROACH A new approach to fertilizer application is the 3-coulter option with a double row cleaner. This option allows the producer with RTK to pre-apply liquid fertilizer in the spring prior to planting, do mild vertical tillage in the row, and clear the residue with a row cleaner. The result...precision-placed fertilizer in a clean, warm, fast-emerging seedbed for the planter to precisely plant the seed in relationship to the fertilizer. Nutri-Pro is configured as a 2-point with lift assist. This 3-coulter system is available with or without 600-gallon liquid tanks. TWIN-ROW APPLICATION PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER APPLICATION NEW APPROACH LEGEND STARTER FERTILIZER PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER APPLICATION PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER ( , APPLICATION ) APPLICATION HIGH-RATE FERTILIZER (28% or 32%) SINGLE-ROW APPLICATION PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER APPLICATION PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER APPLICATION PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER APPLICATION TILLED/CLEANED ZONE TOOLS TO USE NUTRI-PRO LIQUID NUTRI-PRO ANHYDROUS NUTRIENT PLACEMENT 7

# 4 PLANTER ACCURACY KEYS TO PLANTER ACCURACY Planter accuracy plays a major role in achieving even

Without even emergence, plants that sprout days after the rest basically become a weed that robs nutrients

plant. Six keys to good planter accuracy are: 1. SEED SINGULATION 2. SEED TUBE DESIGN 3.

SEED SINGULATION Singulation is the job of the seed meter.

Meters that drop doubles and/or skip some seed pockets, quickly reduce yield potential (as illustrated in

Source: Farm Journal Air-Pro Meters bring spacing accuracy to new levels with: Improved cell design, which

Positive Air technology (instead of vacuum) reduces torque for greater accuracy and reduced wear.

Static cling-eliminating brushes ensure the seed doesn t hang in the pocket.

SEED TUBE DESIGN You can have the best meter in the world, but you can ruin the spacing accuracy delivered

Inferior seed tubes do not provide a smooth, consistent ride to the bottom of the seed trench; instead,

8 # 4 PLANTER ACCURACY KEYS TO PLANTER ACCURACY Planter accuracy plays a major role in achieving even emergence. Without even emergence, plants that sprout days after the rest basically become a weed that robs nutrients and light from good plants, reducing the yield potential of both the late plant and the good neighboring plant. Six keys to good planter accuracy are: 1. SEED SINGULATION 2. SEED TUBE DESIGN 3. PLANTING SPEED FOR DEAD DROP 4. DEPTH CONTROL 5. SEED-TO-SOIL CONTACT 6. TRENCH CLOSURE 1. SEED SINGULATION Singulation is the job of the seed meter. Meters need to consistently drop seed one at a time with no deviation in spacing. Meters that drop doubles and/or skip some seed pockets, quickly reduce yield potential (as illustrated in the above chart). Source: Farm Journal Air-Pro Meters bring spacing accuracy to new levels with: Improved cell design, which nearly eliminates skips and doubles. Positive Air technology (instead of vacuum) reduces torque for greater accuracy and reduced wear. Large-diameter meter reduces meter speed to enhance filling and spacing. Static cling-eliminating brushes ensure the seed doesn t hang in the pocket. Pressureless seed drop for Dead Drop. 2. SEED TUBE DESIGN You can have the best meter in the world, but you can ruin the spacing accuracy delivered to it by using a poorly designed seed tube. Inferior seed tubes do not provide a smooth, consistent ride to the bottom of the seed trench; instead, their hook mouldings and seed-sensor eyes create bumps and ledges within the seed tubes, disrupting the seed s path. Seed Tube Accuracy - Lab Test Data (28,000 seeds/ac planted; 4-run average) Clear-Shot Seed Tube Results Seed On-Target = 99.10% COMPETITIVE CLEAR-SHOT Clear-Shot sensors see through the translucent seed tube material so there is no sensor to disrupt the seed path Industry-Standard Seed Tube Results Seed On Target = 90.27% 8 GREAT PLAINS SYSTEMS APPROACH Clear-Shot uses a steel-formed hook to attach the seed tube to the opener, eliminating protrusions or bumps in the seed tube Cut-away View Clear-Shot has a rounded tip to place the seed in the middle of the trench

3. PLANTING SPEED FOR DEAD DROP Planting speed can greatly affect

Today s farming environment has fewer people covering more acres so

If the seed tube is not designed for faster speed, reduced yields will

SEED-TO-SOIL CONTACT Seed-to-soil contact is also important in getting

If seed is suspended in an air cavity, it will not germinate at the

0 EFFECTS OF PLANTING SPEED ON SEEDING ACCURACY Standard Deviation at

COMPETITIVE SEED TUBE Seed depth cannot be overlooked when addressing

All seeds have a planting depth range in which they need to be planted.

causing uneven emergence that adversely affects overall yields.

side-depth wheels on the planter, are essential.

when one wheel runs over an obstruction.

1 Great Plains patented Clear- Shot Seed Tube takes the excellent

6 mph than most competitive seed tubes perform at 4 mph (see chart at

SIDE-DEPTH GAUGING WHEELS Great Plains Seed-Lok Wheels or Keeton Seed

9 3. PLANTING SPEED FOR DEAD DROP Planting speed can greatly affect planter accuracy. Today s farming environment has fewer people covering more acres so farmers want to plant faster. If the seed tube is not designed for faster speed, reduced yields will be the result. 4. DEPTH CONTROL 5. SEED-TO-SOIL CONTACT Seed-to-soil contact is also important in getting all plants to germinate at the same time. If seed is suspended in an air cavity, it will not germinate at the same time as seeds in direct contact with the soil. 1.0 EFFECTS OF PLANTING SPEED ON SEEDING ACCURACY Standard Deviation at 5.6 mph GREAT PLAINS CLEAR-SHOT Standard Deviation at 4 mph COMPETITIVE SEED TUBE Seed depth cannot be overlooked when addressing a planter s overall accuracy. All seeds have a planting depth range in which they need to be planted. Seeds planted at inconsistent depths emerge at different times, causing uneven emergence that adversely affects overall yields. Control of residue, as well as choosing and maintaining good side-depth wheels on the planter, are essential. Side-depth wheels ride on a Walking Beam that reduces opener movement when one wheel runs over an obstruction. Standard Deviation in Inches Great Plains patented Clear- Shot Seed Tube takes the excellent spacing delivered to it by the Air-Pro Meter and transitions it to the seed trench with unmatched accuracy. It performs better at its designed dead-drop speed of 5.6 mph than most competitive seed tubes perform at 4 mph (see chart at left). SIDE-DEPTH GAUGING WHEELS Great Plains Seed-Lok Wheels or Keeton Seed Firmers press the seed into moist soil. SEED-LOK WHEEL KEETON SEED FIRMER 6. TRENCH CLOSURE Proper seed trench closure is just as important as the other planter accuracy keys. An unclosed seed trench will dry out the seed and cause uneven emergence. GOOD CLOSING BAD CLOSING TOOLS TO USE SPIDER WHEEL Great Plains Spider Closer Wheels are excellent for getting a consistent stand by closing the seed trench and breaking up the sidewall. 12-, 16-, & 24-ROW YP-30, YP-40 4-, 6-, & 8-ROW 2025A, 2525A, & 3PYP PLANTER ACCURACY 9

10 # 5 TWIN-ROW SPACING TWIN ROW WORKS 1. Promotes vigorous root development. 2. Allows higher planting populations. 3. Works for a wide variety of crops. 4. Utilizes sunlight better. 5. More efficient use of water. 6. Works in all areas and soil structures. 7. Can be side-dressed. 8. Increases stalk diameter, improving plant stand. 9. Increases tonnage and relative feed value in silage. 10. Harvestable with 30" corn head. Source: Farm Journal, Narrow-Row Corn Report 2009 TWIN-ROW CORN TWIN-ROW BEANS *based on 38,000 plants per acre TWIN-ROW MILO TWIN-ROW WHEAT 10 GREAT PLAINS SYSTEMS APPROACH

LARGER ROOT MASS Twin-Row row spacing creates plants with bigger

30" ROWS TWIN ROWS BETTER LIGHT UTILIZATION At V7: (Approx.

uses 68% of the available sunlight Twin-Row Corn uses 90% of the

11 LARGER ROOT MASS Twin-Row row spacing creates plants with bigger stalks and larger root mass. 30" ROWS TWIN ROWS BETTER LIGHT UTILIZATION At V7: (Approx. Knee High) 30" Corn uses 30% of the available sunlight 20" Corn uses 68% of the available sunlight Twin-Row Corn uses 90% of the available sunlight TWIN ROWS 30" ROWS FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO: TWIN-ROW SPACING 11

12 Great Plains Manufacturing 1502-GPSL

NUTRI-PRO. NUTRIENT APPLICATION. Great Plains NP2330LL Nutri-Pro

NUTRI-PRO. NUTRIENT APPLICATION. Great Plains NP2330LL Nutri-Pro NUTRI-PRO NUTRIENT APPLICATION Great Plains NP2330LL Nutri-Pro www.greatplainsag.com SEEDBED PREPARATION Every farming operation has different and diverse tillage needs. Great Plains offers a complete