Preparing for Planting Season

Beginning for planting begins at the end of harvest. There are two key important factors that go into harvest; a good agronomist, and good working equipment. An agronomist is someone who is an expert in soil management and crop production. Your equipment decision can be decided with the help of a salesperson. The brand of equipment is so broad

Ordering seed for the next year is the next step. Finding a seed salesperson is the first part of this. Knowing roughly how many acres there will be of soybeans and corn. With those numbers, calculate out how many bushels per acre that the previous years have gotten.

After calculating those results, then get how many bags of soybeans and bags of corn that will be needed. Sometimes, ordering the year before helps, because some seed salespeople offer discounts. Do not want to jump the gun and get incorrect amounts. No two fields are the same, so sometimes ordering different varieties of seed, help maximize yield counts come harvest time. Once time gets closer, picking up the seed becomes an option.

After calculating those results, then get how many bags of soybeans and bags of corn that will be needed. Sometimes, ordering the year before helps, because some seed salespeople offer discounts. Do not want to jump the gun and get incorrect amounts. No two fields are the same, so sometimes ordering different varieties of seed, help maximize yield counts come harvest time. Once time gets closer, picking up the seed becomes an option.

After the ground has been worked and seed is ordered, making sure the equipment is ready. Equipment used for planting varies. Spring equipment is different for every farmer. A sprayer for applying chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides for insect and weed control. Planters are used to, well, plant the seed. The kind of planter varies from person to person. Row width for planting has to go hand in hand with what kind of combine is going to be used in the fall.

Making sure that all planter attachments are clean and working properly. During this time of checking equipment, do a safety check. Make sure lights and all safety systems are operating properly. The equipment also have the interior computer systems that are used. Check maps to confirm software updates are done or if they are needed. Electronic systems have become heavily relied upon.

Once all the following have been done, getting chemical becomes the final step. Chemical, whether it is herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, are all commonly used. This helps keep weed control down, along with insects. Not all grounds react the same to the chemical. It could work on field A but not on field B. This is when having an agronomist helps. They will recommend what is best for that field. Having someone who knows what they are doing and what they are talking about helps a ton. Being able to comfortably call and ask questions is a good quality of having an agronomist.