Don’t Leave Yield
in the Field
Four planting
outcomes that
impact crop
yield
Each of us has been in this
business long enough to know
what planting practices work
best, right? Well, maybe. What’s
effective for you may not work
for someone else; not even your
neighbor. Near or far, whether it’s
different feld conditions, different
weather patterns, or even different
equipment, the same rules do
not apply … not always. But we
can all agree that there are some
fundamental truths you should
follow to maximize your yield
potential, or at the very least be in
the ballpark. We’re here to tell
you four ‘truths’ – as well as
the real impacts they have
on yield – and how we can
help you achieve them so that
you, too, can become an
“elite corn farmer”.
Take Your Yield Potential
To
T
Achieving uniform plant emergence
Let’s face it: uniform plant emergence has by far the greatest impact on corn yield. We’re talking up to a
whopping 9% impact off your maximum yield potential. And yes, a lot of that has to do with your planting depth.
So to help you get reliable seed depth, our two newest row units were built to hit the mark.
With MaxEmerge™ 5, we offer more available downforce solutions from the factory than any other U.S.
manufacturer to give each grower the right choice. Single, double, heavy-duty, pneumatic, or active pneumatic
downforce are all available. When added to our Tru-Vee™ openers and walking gauge wheels, rest assured even
emergence won’t be an issue for MaxEmerge 5.
Or if ExactEmerge™ is more your speed, allow us to clear up any concern that 8-, 9-, or 10-mph planting will lead
to plants that are not uniform. It’s why we made Active Pneumatic Downforce standard on this planter, because
late-emerging plants simply aren’t an option. Active Pneumatic Downforce works in tandem with the industryexclusive BrushBelt™ delivery system to make sure the planter maintains steady depth and without sidewall
compaction. That’s not all. The design of the BrushBelt allows it to cradle the seed and have complete control all
the way to the trench thanks to the remarkably low release point. The BrushBelt matches planter ground speed,
so that each seed is placed – and stays – in the bottom of the trench, for excellent seed-depth control. When it
comes to plant emergence, it’s safe to say that with ExactEmerge your yield potential is, well, safe.
Achieving the correct plant population
It goes without saying, but as yields go higher, hitting the optimum seeding rate becomes increasingly
critical. And behind this page is a story about pushing towards higher yields. So it might be worthwhile
to understand that even if you have all the right conditions to pull out 300, 400, or heck, 500 bushels
from your feld, you still have to achieve the correct population to ensure you’re not too low or too high.
Otherwise, you risk about 2% off your yield potential. Depending on how far you’re off, it could mean the
difference between a goal to reach 300 bushel/acres or one to only reach 200 bushel/acres, for example.
Population is just one of the many areas ExactEmerge excels. It features dual electric drive motors on
every row unit. The motors allow for infnite population settings within the corn seeding rate and provides
precise control to deliver the target population you set. Plus, the design of our BrushBelt handles any
required spacing to achieve your desired population. With all the claims out there about high-speed
planting, we get that you don’t want to leave your population to chance. After all, seed is too valuable to
trust to just another drop in the bucket-design. So when we say you can hit your target mark at 10 miles
per hour with ExactEmerge, we mean it.
Not to be outdone, MaxEmerge 5 has its own highly effcient vacuum meter to help ensure spot-on
population controls. An adjustable baffe helps control seed fow, while the redesigned straight entry
hose on the new mini-hopper maintains your target population on 14-degree slopes. In other words,
MaxEmerge 5 will help achieve the correct plant population in just about every feld condition imaginable.
Its Full Potential
Achieving uniform plant spacing
Not to be forgotten, there’s the “picket-fence” conversation. We’ve all discussed it one time or another, from factory to farm
and anywhere in-between. What’s the impact of picket-fence on yield? Studies show that standard deviation of the spacing
needs to be two inches or less to achieve maximum yield potential. We should add that when we say “spacing,” we’re talking
about actual emerged crop spacing. Now, once your emerged spacing standard deviation gets above two inches, even the
most conservative studies suggest you’re taking up to a 2% hit to your yield potential. Repeat: conservative studies. Care to
guess the percentage impact on the studies that aren’t so conservative? Bottom line is skips, doubles, or even moderately
misplaced plants are all unacceptable. You know this already. What you don’t know yet is how we can help solve this.
Here’s how: Simply put ExactEmerge is a plant spacing king, and it’s because of our new patented BrushBelt. We told you
about the low-level release point that allows it to deliver seed directly to the bottom of the trench, but we neglected to
mention you get superior spacing whether you’re on fat land or hill ground. You won’t fnd seed-bounce or ricochet as
experienced on some seed tubes. This is what helps you avoid those misplaced plants. As for the skips and doubles … we
have that covered, too, thanks to the build of the new metering system. From the new rigid concave seed bowl to the new
brush-style doubles eliminator, you get accurate singulation that starts correctly at the top and works its way right down. It’s
hard to be perfect in this world, so we’ll just say ExactEmerge spacing is the next best thing.
Or go for the more traditional way to singulate seed with MaxEmerge 5. The doubles eliminator has been improved to deliver
singulation with a variety of seed sizes and shapes. A new dial indicator shows you precisely where it’s set, and a convenient
external knob allows for easy adjustment. Best of all, adjusting the MaxEmerge 5 doubles eliminator is faster than on all
previous John Deere row units. Enjoy the spacing you demand to help you reach the goals you have in mind.
Planting within the optimum window
You’re nearing the end of May, time is running out, and you’re trying to get those last few precious acres
planted – a scenario not uncommon, particularly in the Corn Belt where at least some late planting is bound
to occur. But did you know that since 1971 an average of 15% of corn has been planted after May 20? Some
would call that pretty late. And while 15% may not seem like a lot at frst glance, consider that, historically,
from May 20 through the remainder of the month, you can expect an 8-14% impact on your yield potential.
That range is even higher in certain areas. Make no mistake, missing the optimum window hurts your chance
to get north of 300-bushel yield.
ExactEmerge can help you stay in the optimum window. When you can plant 10 miles per hour, you can stretch
your productivity within the window. Even better, imagine a year with a few more raindrops than you’d prefer,
which is usually why you’re planting in late-May to begin with. ExactEmerge can turn the challenge of a narrow
planting window to a hurdle you can easily overcome, helping you cover more acres per day and increasing your
chance of getting the highest crop yield possible.
So you might be questioning, ‘How does MaxEmerge 5 increase my productivity in the planting window
without the extra speed?’ The answer is simple: between the improved performance features and greater
uptime enhancements, such as faster meter access and easier crop changeover, you can’t actually plant faster,
but you can plant more effciently in the same amount of time than you could in seasons past. And that has to
count for something. In fact, it can count for higher bushels in your yield.
Best way to move up to
high-yield corn? Go Mobile
John Deere SeedStar™ Mobile
Being an expert in the art of high-yield corn won’t be easy, but SeedStar Mobile makes it a whole lot easier.
One glance from your tractor seat gives you a wealth of information on a row-by-row basis. You can see skips
or doubles instantly. You’ll know if one of your row units is wearing down or experiencing a problem. You
can see fuctuations in singulation as they occur. And, most important, you’ll have the information you need
to correct these and other issues, quickly and easily. That’s a lot better than running 30 or 40 minutes and
covering a big chunk of acreage before you notice something’s wrong, or jumping out of the cab and digging
in the row to make sure everything is good. But SeedStar Mobile is more than a potential problem-solver; it
helps to optimize your planting performance so you can set your goals higher ... and reach them.
Customize the screen’s dashboard to see the variables most important to you, such as population, singulation,
seed spacing, applied downforce, and much more. Every key piece of data can help you get more out of your
investment in seed and time.
You don’t even have to be in the cab to monitor the planter’s activity. You can view all your valuable planting
information through the MyJohnDeere Operations Center in your home offce or with a mobile device. And
with your permission, your dealer, partner, or any member of your agronomic decision support team can
view your planting information, helping you diagnose issues and make educated decisions that can improve
planting performance and productivity.
The ‘Push to 500’ starts here. Team up SeedStar Mobile with an ExactEmerge or MaxEmerge 5 John Deere
planter to enhance your planting experience and maximize your yield potential. Nothing Runs Like a Deere.™