Gearing up

Many producers have geared up their equipment to take advantage of whatever seeding window is available this spring. In some cases, this has meant bigger tires, extra tires or even tracks for the tractor and drill to reduce the number of times the outfit will be stuck in the mud. Some producers purchased larger seeding outfits over the winter. Adding another ten feet to the width of the drill and / or another 200 bushels to the size of the seed and fertilizer tank makes it possible to cover more acres each day. Some producers have decided this is the year to add a second or third seeding outfit. While there has been a 25-year trend to direct seeding and reduced tillage, many producers are planning a tillage operation to help the soil dry before seeding. Some new tools feature a concept called vertical tillage. More than anything, there’s a heightened urgency following last year’s seeding disaster. Seeding won’t be possible until later than usual and it could easily be disrupted by wet weather. When seeding is finally possible, there won’t be any waiting around for drier conditions and warmer soil. There’s strong potential for profitability if you can grow a decent crop this year, but it all starts with getting seed in the ground. Producers will be pushing harder than ever to make that happen. I’m Kevin Hursh.