2021 SureSpeed and SureForce Side-By-Side Corn Trial – Western IA

Early Season Findings:

This trial was set up to test how well a low-tech planter, along with some extra time and attention could compete with the same planter equipped with SureSpeed and SureForce. This field’s mix of soil conditions, straight rows, and contours showcase the benefits provided by SureSpeed and SureForce. While yield is generally what we look towards during the final evaluation in trials such is this, it should also be taken into consideration that the SureSpeed and SureForce planting passes were completed at 10 mph, whereas the low-tech planter was at 5 mph.  

Contours and terrace edges 

Every meter on the low-tech planter is connected to the same hex shaft across this 12-row planter. With each meter turning at the same RPM, the inside row over plants and the outside row underplants, as confirmed by our findings from stand counts. 

The harder ground near the terrace in conjunction with traversing a contour requires higher down force to achieve the proper depth. There was enough moisture after planting to get the shallow planted seeds out of the ground, but the inconsistency in time to emergence from plant to plant will likely reduce yield and will be evident at harvest. 

Straight rows 

Spring anhydrous was applied at a slight angle to planting. The anhydrous knives created somewhat mellow soil conditions in this otherwise no-till system. The SureForce system was able to adjust the amount of downforce applied as each row unit sensed the cyclical changes in soil conditions. The low-tech planter was applying the right amount of down force in the softer soil areas, but too little where the ground was hard. The differences in stand quality in these areas have been evident all season and are highlighted in several videos taken during the growing season.

Pre-Harvest Observations:

Left rows are planted by Kinze 3600 with hydraulic drive finger meter.

Right rows are planted by Kinze 3600 equipped with SureForce™ and SureSpeed™.

This July 23rd comparison highlights late-season differences between the passes planted with the hydraulic finger meters and the passes planted with the SureForce and SureSpeed system.

Here Brett compares the difference in stand establishment and plant health between the two planter systems.

Harvest Observations and Insights:

While comparing the side-by-side passes in the field, the SureForce™ and SureSpeed™ planter out yielded the factory equipped planter by 5.4 bushels. In addition to the increased yield, the SureForce™ and SureSpeed™ equipped planter covered 51% more acres, which leads to increased profitability through increased productivity. 

This is a summarization of data collected in one year and represents only what happened across the tested field in 2021.  It is not a rigorous evaluation of factors that may or may not influence yield.  Results may not predict future performance and may not be complete.