Ohio Ag Connection - May 31 Field Day Offers Look at Precision Planting

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May 31 Field Day Offers Look at Precision Planting
Ohio Ag Connection - 05/25/2016

Weather conditions have delayed some farmers from getting into their fields to plant this spring, so more growers are looking to new technologies to help them speed up the planting process.

With each day growers aren't able to get into their fields to plant due to cold or wet soil conditions, more questions are arising as to how the planting delays will impact yields, said Mary Griffith, an Ohio State University Extension educator. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.

"While growers always are focused on getting their crops in on time, this year many farmers are especially concerned about how a narrow planting season such as this will impact yields," Griffith said. "Some growers who planted early were negatively impacted by late frost and have had to replant some fields -- in some cases some of those farmers hadn't even gotten all their fields planted the first round before they had to replant.

"As a result, many growers are looking at planters, new technologies and yield impact. Whether it be questions on seed singulation and uniform spacing to questions on variable rate seeding and fertilizer application, many growers want to know how precision planter technology can increase the speed and accuracy of planting."

Growers can learn more about precision planters during a Planter Field Day May 31. The event is from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, 1782 State Route 38 N.W. in London. The event is free and open to the public.

The program will offer participants the opportunity to see corn and soybeans planted using the ExactEmerge planting system at the site. During the field day, growers will be able to evaluate crop stands and learn more about precision planting.

For more information on the field day or to register, contact Griffith at 740-852-0975 ext. 13 or griffith.483@osu.edu. The deadline to register is May 27. The event is sponsored by JD Equipment.

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