Grain Guide 2018

Johan van Biljon, ARC-Agricultural Engineering 4.2. Calibration of seed Seed dispensing can be calibrated as follows:  Mark out a distance of 10 m in the field.  Set the plant depth so that the seed is placed on the soil.  Plant at the normal plant speed over the measured distance of 10 m.  Count the number of seeds delivered in a row over the distance of 10 m.  Calculate the plant population in number of seeds/ha as follows: 1 000 x number of seeds counted over 10 m Planter’s row spacing in metres  If the plant population must be changed, change the gear combinations as indicated on the calibration table of the planter.  If there are many double seed deliveries or seed is not delivered at all, make sure that the right tray has been selected for the seed size for tray planters. The correct vacuum delivery for vacuum planters should be checked. Finger-wheel planter dispensing mechanisms should be serviced. Consult SA Grain’s cultivar supplement SA Grain annually publishes information on the evaluation and recommendation of cultivars that is done by the ARC. To obtain the most recent information on maize, soybean and sunflower cultivars (published in November 2017), scan the QR code below and change the language option at the top according to your preference. 37 Steps to calibrate planters 40 GRAIN GUIDE 2018 Seed