Is Your Planting Equipment Ready?

Apr 01, 2025


Planter

Planter Maintenance is Important

Your seed’s highest yield potential is while it is still in the bag. It is important to start your spring with good practices to maintain and protect as much yield as possible. A good way to start is with maintenance on your planter. Your planter should be the most important piece of equipment on the farm. Planter maintenance is a crucial part of establishing a great crop. 

Here are a few key maintenance checklist for your planter:

  • Drive system
  • Bushings
  • Parallel arm linkage
  • Down pressure mechanics
  • Row cleaners
  • Gauge wheels
  • Disc openers
  • Closing wheels
  • Seed tubes
  • Seed firmers
  • Meter calibration


A couple of often overlooked maintenance practices are checking planter calibration and planting depth. It pays to make sure the planter is calibrated because you could be putting out a higher or lower population than your targeted amount, which can adversely affect your yield. Planting depth is not a one size fits all. Planting depth should be adjusted according to soil conditions. Different soil conditions could be due to different tillage practices from field to field or varying soil moisture.

Planting is an exciting time of the year. If you have any questions on preparing your planter for this spring, or have some farm planning left to do, please give your Premier agronomist a call. I hope everyone has a safe spring. 
 

Noah Durst

Agronomist

Latest Posts

Aug 06, 2025

Getting started with diesel storage has never been easier. Our Diesel Tank Lease Program offers a simple, hassle-free solution for producers who need reliable fuel access without the upfront investment in equipment. The program includes a 1,000-gallon tank equipped with a pump, hose, nozzle, and filter, and delivery is provided at no additional cost. With a minimum usage of 3,000 gallons per year, it’s a great fit for operations looking to streamline fuel management.

Aug 01, 2025
If spring weather got in the way of planting your alfalfa, you're not out of luck yet. Summer seeding is still a solid option and it comes with some real advantages when done right. 
Aug 01, 2025
August may not be a traditional planting month, but it’s a crucial time for growers looking to establish alfalfa or prepare for fall crops. For most of our trade territory, alfalfa should be seeded by August 30, ideally 6–8 weeks before the first killing frost to ensure strong root and top growth before winter. After September 1, success rates drop significantly.