Maximize your 2026 Planter Season

Prepare for this year’s Planting Season by proactively taking care of your planter technology setup by leveraging essential pre-season maintenance and calibration to ensure field-ready performance. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recommend a structured approach to prevent costly in-season issues and improve overall efficiency and yield. The agricultural season can be viewed as a continuous loop of preparation, execution, and review.

Key phases include:

• Nov-Feb: Season Review– Analyze what worked, what broke, use available data and metrics to plan changes for the next year.
• Mar-Apr: Implement Setup– Focus on technology setup, renewing subscriptions, accurate measurements, and calibrations before hitting the field.
• Apr-Jun: Operation Prep– Correct boundaries, set guidance lines, create and load all necessary precision ag files on to equipment displays.
• May-Oct: Execution– Implement in-field changes, pay attention to metrics like population and singulation, and know what to look for and why.

Operation Preparation

Setup matters, because Garbage In = Garbage Out when it comes to data.

Field Boundaries

Proper boundaries ensure accurate coverage, machine automation control, section control, and reliable reporting for insurance and input ordering. Replace hand-drawn boundaries with driven or generated ones for better accuracy, and place flags near obstacles.

Pre-Season Checklist:

• Replace hand-drawn boundaries with driven if possible
• Even generated from previous applications are a great start!
• Consolidate & remove old items
• Place flags near obstacles & field entrances
• Create names that make sense!
• Fieldname_Correction_Operator&Year
• Ex: Atwell40_SFRTK_Bailey25

Proper Guidance

Plan now to save time later. Verify and evaluate guidance lines within your cloud-based platform or physical display, use a clear naming convention, and double-check lines are entered correctly after export.

Data Management

Utilize wireless data upload and mobile apps available from common cloud platforms like John Deere Operations Center, Panorama, CASE IH FieldOps, and AgFiniti. Remember to back up all data, especially if it's only stored on the display.

Implement Setup

Ensure your machine matches reality through core areas of verification.

• Hardware Verification: Inspect things like GPS receiver hardware for broken antennas or cracked housing. Verify software versions and double-check that subscriptions are current, noting that dealer service may incur fees for updates.
• Core Machine:  Level the planter bar(s) and the 3-pt. system and adjust sway blocks or shims to ensure proper alignment when lowered to the ground. This is especially important when using passive or active implement guidance technologies.
• Calibrations:  Calibrate and verify hardware before heading to the field to account for temperature changes, software updates, and maintenance.
  • Match physical measurements to the display.
  • Zero out downforce or load cell sensors.
  • Perform a meter catch test and calibrate flow meters for fertilizer and insecticide.
• Tuning & Run-off:      Inspect knockout wheels, simulator’s, seed transfer hardware, and vacuum seals. Utilize built-in run-off features on electric drive planters to test all components before full field operation.

By following these checklists, you can ensure your planter technology is optimized for the upcoming season, aiming for metrics like 98%+ singulation and <.1 CV spacing to maximize your production and profitability.

Final Pre-Season Checklist:

• Backup data! (Especially if on display only)
• Upload - Soil samples, previous coverage, VR & Rx files
• Review - Client, Farm, Field setup information
• Cleanup - Old guidance lines, boundaries, flags, etc.
• Create New - Year specific lines, varieties, setup data
• Ask Questions!

Additional planting-related resources can be found on the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab's Research to Rows website.