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In a no-till system, the planter is critical. Make sure yours will be ready to go next spring.

November 11, 2020

3 Min Read
closeup of planter in field
INCH BY INCH: If you are shifting to no-till, go through your planter inch by inch to make sure it is ready for varying conditions. Tom J. Bechman

Will you switch to no-till on some acres in 2021? If so, you will rely on your planter as your only pass through the field. That planting operation must be as failproof as possible. Tillage will cover up flaws in a planter that no-till will expose very quickly. Long-term no-till farmers across Indiana confirm their success is highly dependent on their planter.

Here are five steps to make sure you have a planter that can stand up to no-till conditions in 2021:

1. Get out the fine-tooth comb. If you plan to use your existing planter, go over it very carefully to avoid costly issues. You may need to replace springs, bushings and double-disc openers, or you may need to add row cleaners or change closing wheels.

One of the most important parts of a no-till planter are double-disc openers. Openers need to be sharp enough to cut through residue and make the correct seed trench. In no-till, they will have to be replaced more frequently. Some potential issues may be brand-specific. Talk to your dealer and discuss what should be changed or updated to no-till successfully.

2. Find a mentor to check your planter. If you’re unsure about planter setup for high-residue planting, ask a successful no-till and cover crop farmer to do a walkaround of your planter. Go over important details that will make your no-till planter fully successful. If possible, work with someone who has the same brand of planter. They can help you ward off major issues by sharing their experiences.

3. Prepare for simple shifts. Even if you’re moving from no-tilling into soybean residue to planting into cornstalks, or adding cover crops to your rotation, you will likely have to make changes to your planter. If you want to try planting green into standing cover crops, make sure your planter is functioning at the highest level. 

4. Upgrade your planter? In some cases, it might be best to upgrade your planter completely. Ask yourself what planter works best for the system you want. Talk to successful no-tillers and ask why they use a specific planter setup. Don’t settle when it comes to what planter you buy. Make sure it will do what you expect it to do. That means planting into conditions that can seem more challenging than tilled soil.

5. Take time to plan move to no-till. Concerns to consider prior to planting no-till include improving drainage where needed, providing proper pH and soil fertility, spreading crop residue evenly, and improving soil biology. The more planning and preparation you do, the more successful and positive your switch will be.

Remember, when you no-till, you only make one pass. You only have one chance to ensure the best stand possible. That chance is entirely dependent on your planter. Make sure it’s ready for the conditions it will face. Spend the time and the money this winter to get your planter ready. Your success will depend on your planter doing the best job it can. Make sure it’s the very best piece of equipment on your farm.

Donovan and Harrison are district conservationists with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. They write on behalf of the Indiana Conservation Partnership.

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