You’ve read about farmers planting faster than 5 miles per hour. Some go 10 mph, while others are more comfortable around 7 to 8 mph. Maybe you’re still hesitant to try it. What do corn stands planted at higher speeds look like?

Based on demonstration strips at Tom and Thomas Nugent’s field day near Elnora, Ind., they look the same as those planted at slower speeds. The Nugents planted strips at 5 and 10 mph after wheat harvest with their custom-built planter equipped with SpeedTubes from Precision Planting. Farmers at the field day saw little difference in plant spacing between strips.

Tom also planted a couple of cornfields at 8 mph in 2021. Just as with the demonstration strips, he reports he couldn’t tell any difference in final stand or spacing. However, he notes that if you’re considering gearing up to plant faster, you need to do more than just install high-speed planting tubes. Consider your planter tractor: Is it powerful enough to pull the same planter faster? Consider the planter itself: Is it sturdy enough to withstand more wear and tear from driving faster, especially in no-till?

EQUIPPED FOR SPEED: This planter unit is equipped with a planter tube that extends near the ground. Seed isn’t released into the trench until it is just above the soil.

Rick Applegate, Precision Farming Solutions, Birdseye, Ind., consulted with Tom as he put his planter together. Applegate co-sponsored the field day at the Nugent farm. Ag Leader and John Deere also offer planting tubes designed for high-speed planting.