by Matt Hagny, consulting agronomist for no-till systems since ‘94.
We at Exapta have long emphasized the importance of adequate seed-to-soil contact. For instance, I saw enough evidence in ‘95 that I realized that Keetons—a brand of sliding seed firmer—were a major step forward for no-till when using JD, Kinze, White & similar planter openers. This was before I became a dealer for Keetons, and long before Exapta was founded—I became a dealer simply so that my crop-consulting clientele would have ready access at rock-bottom prices (my cost)—and I always kept a spare set in my pickup in case I found that someone’s Keetons had gone flimsy and needed immediate replacement while planting was already underway.
And I’d observed how important the narrow, in-furrow ‘seed-lock’ wheels were on Deere 50/60/90-series grain drills—we also used miniature seedlock wheels on planters in the mid-’90s, before Keetons came along. The choice of which in-furrow firming device is important—or do you need these at all in your conditions… continue reading here: Seed-Firming