Precision Planting

Description

Yields in fields with rolling topographies are highly variable. Lower yields are typically in summit areas and higher yields in lower back slope areas. This variability is from varying degrees of water stress. Genetics may be one way to manage crop stress by strategically placing different hybrids in areas of the field where resistant traits correspond to stresses found in different growing environments. New technology using global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) for developing field maps of recommended variety placement and seeding rate. These maps are used with planters capable of varying seeding rate and varieties. This study uses a prototype planter develop by Raven Industries in cooperation with SDSU and Agricultural Experiment Station.

Primary Crop: Corn
Treatments are placed in strips spanning the length of field. The treatments include
1. Precision corn seeding where hybrids are varied across the landscape,
2. Three corn hybrids suited for upland position are seeded as a strip across the field, and
3. Three corn hybrids suited for lowlands are seeded as a strip across the field.

Population is constant in this study. Yield is measured using a typical yield monitor on the producers combine. This study investigates the potential to increase whole field productivity by strategically placing hybrids in the field. Variable rate seeding and strategic hybrid placement is new technology that deserves careful research for developing proven recommendations for optimizing profitability. This project is designed to demonstrate these technologies, placing South Dakotas’ agricultural industry as a leader.

This project is supported by funds provided by of SDSU Research, SDSU Extension, South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, SE Farm Board of Directors, Raven Industries, Pioneer Hi-bred, and the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.

For more information, contact:
Dr Peter Sexton
Manager-SE Research Farm/Associate Professor, Beresford Field Station-AES
Peter.Sexton@sdstate.edu