When planting windows narrow, growers have the need for speed. Without precision solutions, however, covering acres faster can often mean sacrificing accuracy. Read how Precision Planting® products like SpeedTube® can help overcome this challenge in our Q&A with Chris Ehman, marketing manager for Precision Solutions & Telematics at Case IH Aftermarket Solutions.
Q: Most planting seasons have weather challenges that make it difficult to plant in ideal conditions. How can investing in precision solutions help growers tackle tight planting windows?
C.E.: We know that seed singulation and spacing are key drivers for yield, particularly in corn. Planting too fast can cause row units to bounce, seeds to bounce in the seed tube, inconsistent seed spacing — resulting in a poor stand. Case IH Premier Certified Dealers offer solutions such as SpeedTube to help cover more acres accurately. Upgrading your current planter with precision solutions is a smart choice to hit your ideal planting window and maximize ROI.
Q: Talk about the Precision Planting SpeedTube solution and how it works.
C.E.: SpeedTube helps ensure accuracy at higher speeds because the seeds are controlled all the way from the vSet® meter to the ground. If there is row unit bounce, it doesn’t affect seed spacing because the seeds are contained within a flighted belt, keeping them in place. When seeds are under control, speed can be increased to 10 mph without sacrificing performance.
It’s important to note that SpeedTube is one component of a high-speed planting system. Combined with additional precision solutions including DeltaForce® down force control and vSet seed metering, you can ensure that as speed increases, accuracy remains the same.
Q: Looking into your crystal ball, how do you envision precision and technology impacting productivity on operations in the future?
C.E.: I believe precision will be an essential part of every operation in the future. With a shrinking workforce and increasing yield demands, planting windows aren’t getting any longer — so operations are starting to require smart and effective solutions to up productivity. That’s also why data will play an increasingly important role in decision-making and ensuring operations remain profitable.
Looking for more precision wisdom?
The precision experts at your local Premier Certified Dealer can help you determine the best upgrades for your planter and plant confidently next spring. Learn more, redeem current offers and find your local Premier Certified Dealer here.
Plus, you can read more conversations with Chris about how Precision Planting products can give you peace of mind and drive efficiency.