Planter Downforce, Depth Settings, and Levelness
by Matt Hagny If you have new blades on a Deere planter with the depth mechanism set as shown in this photo, the furrow being cut should be 2” deep consistently. If it’s less than that, you don’t have enough downforce on the row unit. (For corn, sunflowers, and...
read moreProfile of Success: Kent Stones, Lebanon, KS
by Matt Hagny Case studies of some top-notch no-tillers (there are many). Kent Stones examines the oldest no-till field in Brazil. In touring what was supposedly some of the best no-till in Brazil, he wasn't impressed, noting far too much soil disturbance and lack of...
read moreClosing Wheels – The Studies
by Matt Hagny You’ve probably noticed that the farm magazines sometimes publish summaries or studies of closing wheel comparisons, and other vendors like to tout whichever study shows their brand(s) or style(s) of closing wheels comparing favorably. You might also...
read moreUniForce In-Depth Webinar
In case you missed the Webinar, you can watch the recording now. UniForce In-Depth Webinar covers: 1. Hydraulic capacity requirements 2. Can UniForce work when the tractor has no extra remotes available? 3. Where an accumulator is advantageous 4. The ability to run a...
read moreMaintenance on JD 50/60/90s
This special flat washer and flange locknut wear against each other as the closing arm moves up/down in the field. They wear fairly quickly, since they’re only grade 5 from Deere (Exapta’s are both grade 8). Eventually they wear enough that there’s additional...
read moreProfile of Success: Lewis & Jason Unruh, Peabody, KS
by Matt Hagny Case studies of some top-notch no-tillers (there are many). Jason and Lewis Unruh Whereas some successful no-tillers use their enhanced profitability and efficiency to double, triple or quadruple the size of their farms, Lewis Unruh has taken a different...
read moreUniversality of Seed/Seedling Requirements, Regardless of Crop Species or Soil Conditions
by Matt Hagny, freelance consulting agronomist for no-till systems since ’94 Everyone wants to dwell on how different their particular patch of farmland is, or the particular crop they grow, or their local climate etc. Sure, a few of the details may be different (and...
read moreBlade Size for No-till Openers
by Matt Hagny Bigger isn’t always better. At least not for opener blades cutting mulch (and soil) in no-till. Too many OEMs want to use 20 – 24” opener blades on their drills. Mostly so they can tout how long they can go before needing replacement—when what these OEMs...
read moreProfile of Success: Scott Arthaud, Keyes, OK
by Matt Hagny Case studies of some top-notch no-tillers (there are many). Scott Arthaud The Oklahoma/Texas Panhandle is an exceptionally harsh environment for growing dryland crops, and despite being plenty dry most of the time, no-till isn’t the no-brainer that you...
read moreProfile of Success: Craig & Gene Stehly, Mitchell, SD
by Matt Hagny We’re starting something a little different with this newsletter series, aiming to give you some things to think about by providing case studies of some top-notch no-tillers (there are many). Craig Stehly on their farm in South Dakota With 25+ years of...
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