By DOUG GRAVES

Ohio Correspondent

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The promise of higher yields and greater returns – those are the two key factors that attracted corn growers from southwestern Ohio to last week’s AGCO Crop Tour.

Farmers were given an update of AGCO’s three-year comparisons using White Planters with Precision Planting tools and technology, and how minimizing planting variability improves corn seedling emergence and yields. The event took place on the farm of Brian Brown on Lancaster Road in Chillicothe.

This was one of five around the country for 2019. Other tours were slated for Emmetsburg, Iowa; Mosinee, Wis.; Mt. Hope, Kan.; and Calhoun, Ky.

“The Crop Tour is one of AGCO’s unique initiatives focused on demonstration best-practice agronomy and aimed at finding ways to improve crop yields using new innovative agricultural machinery solutions,” said Darren Goebel, company agronomist and director of global agronomy and farm solutions. “Our field demonstrations analyze how growers can better understand the role of agricultural equipment in optimizing crop production systems.

“And farmers pay very close attention to the selections of hybrids, fertilizers, and crop protection products. The same scrutiny is required for tillage, planting, and sprayers. Ensuring machinery does its job as precisely as possible has a big impact on yield outcome.”

At the heart of the planting procedures this year was White Planters VE Series planters ordered with the DeltaForce down pressure system.

“Across many locations from South Dakota to Ohio the past three years, we mapped the intentional planting variations, then evaluated seedling emergence, monitored crop progress, dug roots, and collected yield data to illustrate to growers how ideal planting practices deliver a real return on investment for growers,” Goebel explained.

The tour showcased the difference it makes to have even placement of one seed at a time with a plot of rows planted with some skips and doubles, compared to another planted with singulation technology. Yield estimates from one plot to another showed a variation of almost 10 bushels to the acre, based on ear counts and counts of rows and kernels.

“It’s also important for growers to understand down force and how it relates to yield performance,” said Craig Unverferth, AGCO account manager. “A priority here is to highlight the issues associated with the application when planting of too much down force and too little down force, plus the effects on seed planted at different depths and the consequences of pop seed singulation.”

Visitors were able to see how uneven depth changes the distance for a seedling to exit the ground and reach sunlight. As a plant gets to the surface and bests others out of the ground, it will out-compete its slower emerging neighbor for vital resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients in the soil.

“Agronomists have long argued that corn must be planted at least 1.5 inches deep for adequate nodal rood development, and this study confirms that notion with yield results,” Goebel said.

“Planting just one-half inch shallower than 1.5 inches resulted in a 23 bushel-per-acre yield loss. Two plants being too close together create competition for vital resources.”

Across those 16 locations, seed planted 1.5 inches deep yielded an average 12 more bushels per acre than seed planted just 1 inch deep. Conversely, when corn was planted 3 inches deep, average yield was 10 bushels higher compared to corn planted at 3.5 inches. Stand reduction and uneven emergence were observed at the 3.5-inch depth.

AGCO showcased a White Precision Planter and several pieces of Precision Planting equipment for farmers to examine during the event, too.