Improper seedbed preparation is costly.
Row cleaners running at the proper setting with the ability to flex help create the perfect seedbed environment.
Floating vs Fixed
The yield impact of row cleaners running properly is significant. A three year study showed significant yield increase for running your row cleaners in a floating or “flexible” position over a fixed setting. This study was conducted by Ken Ferrie and Farm Journal magazine.
The proper seedbed preparation creates an environment with even depth, good seed to soil contact, and the right soil density around the seed. Farmers know where the row cleaners need to be set to do this. The challenge is getting the right setting and maintaining it consistently.
Emerging Plant with Residue
Residue in the seed trench competes with the seedling for moisture and harbors disease and fungi that can set back seedlings like this one. A plant like this is already one stage behind and will likely grow at a rate that is two stages behind its neighboring plants. Each plant like this per 1/1,000th of an acre reduces your yield by 5 bushels.