ATLANTA, Ind. — Beck’s partnered with Harvest International, Precision Planting and Schlipf Precision Ag to develop a multi-row width, multi-hybrid concept planter. Developed for Beck’s Practical Farm Research (PFR) program, the concept planter will help the agriculture industry gain a better understanding of the optimum row spacing, seeding rate and hybrid combination per acre.
 
“Over the years, our PFR team has conducted several studies about row spacing and seeding rates, but we have yet to determine the right row spacing, seeding rate, and hybrid combination,” said Jason Gahimer, PFR operations manager. “The multi-row width, multi-hybrid concept planter will allow us to plant in 10-, 20-, and 30-inch rows, as well as multi-hybrid, variable-rate populations and apply variable-rate fertility throughout the field to identify the zones, spacing and seeding rates that will maximize yields.”
 
The multi-row width, multi-hybrid concept planter features a custom planter bar and row units by Harvest International; Precision Planting vSet Select multi-hybrid meters, vApply HD liquid control system, a FurrowJet in-furrow liquid attachment, CleanSweep for the pneumatic row cleaner control, and DeltaForce hydraulic downforce control system. The units also include Yetter Manufacturing closing wheels and row cleaners, and a Surefire Ag fertilizer pump system. Schlipf Precision Ag in Milford, Ind., assembled the Precision Planting components onto the Harvest International planter bar.
 
In the fall of 2017, Beck’s PFR team will utilize the planter to conduct a 10 in. row width study in wheat. Then in the spring of 2018, the PFR team will conduct initial corn and soybean field trials with the multi-row width, multi-hybrid planter in central Indiana. Before heading to the fields, the team will work with Beck’s precision farming tool, FARMserver to create management zones in the fields and identify test blocks.
 
Watch the PFR video to learn more about the multi-row width, multi-hybrid concept planter https://youtu.be/bb7QZ9SsHTw.