As farming slows down for the winter, many producers start thinking about what tools they might want to add to their farm for the next crop season. Throughout the year, we’ve shared information on equipment and products that you might be considering for your operation. If you are looking to change up your equipment or technology before the 2021 crop year, here’s a comprehensive list of articles, video, and information that might be helpful in making these decisions to best support your operation.
Planting
- High-speed planters
High-speed planters are growing in popularity, and you may be considering adding one to your operation. Linked below are two articles from March of this year explaining a five-year study of how high-speed planters affect crop yield. While these planters have excellent singulation and spacing abilities, it’s critical to remember that the field capacity (acres/hour) should drive the ROI calculations on this equipment.
Links:
High Speed Planting Technology
Yield Considerations for High Speed Planting
Tillage
- Vertical Tillage Tools
- Strip-Tillage Tools
Linked below are a collection of short videos and articles showing some of the benefits of using vertical tillage and strip-till equipment, and how to choose the right tool and implement settings for your operation.
Links:
VT Tillage
VIDEO: Benefits to Using a Vertical Tillage Tool
VIDEO: Choosing the Right Gang Angle for a Vertical Tillage Tool
VIDEO: Using a Vertical Tillage Tool for Weed Management
Strip-Tillage
The Timing is Right: Flexibility in the Timing of Strip-Till with Nutrient Application
10 Considerations for Adopting Strip-Till
Sprayers
- SpotOn® Sprayer Calibrator
- Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) Nozzle Systems
A SpotOn® sprayer calibrator can be a valuable addition to your toolbox to help check the flow rates on sprayer nozzles. Pulse width modulated nozzle systems for sprayers help you better control spray pressure across a wide range of ground speeds and increase job quality with spray applications. Check out the two videos below for more information on each product, options available on the market and how these could work for your operation.
Links:
Measuring Nozzle Flow Using a SpotOn® Sprayer Calibrator
Sprayer Tech - Pulse Width Modulated Systems
Aerial Imagery
If you’re thinking about adding a drone to your operation, it can be helpful to know the rules and regulations that come with legally operating it for agricultural use. Review the article linked below for more information, and make sure you have the proper licenses and training before heading out to the field next spring with your new drone.
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