Canola seed is darn expensive. So is equipment. Buying new equipment to save on seed only makes sense if you make the most of the iron purchase. If you’re one of the many farmers curious about integrating a shiny new or not-so-new planter into the equipment mix with your sights set on saving on canola seed costs, there are more than a few details to iron out first. The success of using a planter for canola — as with any crop — is proper calibration and careful selection of parts and add-ons specific to Canadian conditions.
Frank Prince farms near Deloraine, Man., and has been using a planter for mostly corn and soybeans for 10 years. He’s also been using it to seed canola and has learned more than a thing or two about avoiding wrecks. As he says, if you’re not careful with your settings and equipment checks, you can just as easily seed 10 pounds an acre as you can five. Yes, really.
In this video, Prince explains the number one thing you should do once you buy a planter (new or used), why you need to carefully plan your fertilizer set up and rates and the two things you’ll need to remove from the planter in muddy conditions.
If you cannot see the embedded video, click here.