Beck’s Hybrids Becknology Days: Finding the perfect planter

ATLANTA, Ind. — Making decisions for a farming operation can range anywhere from selecting the right window to plant seed to figuring out the right time to turn livestock out to pasture.

Another decision farmers must make is what equipment and machinery will be best suited for their farm or agricultural operation, which includes trying to find the perfect planter.

“Everyone’s perfect planter is different,” said Jason Gahimer, Practical Farm Research operations manager for Beck’s Hybrids. Gahimer spoke at the 2020 Beck’s Hybrids Becknology Days.

Gahimer said finding the perfect planter varies from farm to farm depending on what the operation’s needs are, but instead of rushing out to purchase a new planter, which can be expensive, sometimes the best way to make a planter better is to upgrade it.

One way Gahimer said that farmers can make their planter better is to consider adding a speed tube that would help farmers achieve a high-speed planter.

Gahimer said adding an attachment to help make a planter high speed will help farmers cover more acres faster, but will not hurt the farmer’s yield percentages.

Gahimer said increasing the speed of a planter by 3 mph can help farmers cover more acres in a fraction of the time.