While crop prices are on the rise, Farm Progress PANEL respondents didn't race out to buy new equipment to plant the 2021 crop. It turns out that on the whole farmers are happy with the planting equipment they have.

We asked if farmers had upgraded their machines for 2021 and just 4% said they bought a new planter to get access to the latest technology. In the past five years, planter technology has seen some significant changes from electric meters to high-speed units that can boost productivity.

Respondents this time out, are apparently taking a wait-and-see approach to buying a whole new machine. Yet one-fifth of those who responded did say they added some new attachments for performance. With the planter add-ons available for refuse handling, targeted seedbed prep and fertilizer placement, this really isn't a surprise.

Yet 37% say they have a recent model that's still performing well for their operation. And if they've bought in the last few years, that's no surprise. Yet planter technology is advancing every year.

But even older machines are doing the job for nearly 40% of respondents. That "no update" group responded that their older machine gets the job done. We'll probably ask the same question in 2022 to see if $5 corn or $13 beans tip the scales into another round of planter updats for #plant22. It will be interesting to see.

MINIMUM UPDATE: Farm Progress PANEL respondents appear happy with their current planting gear, though 24% either bought new or upgraded their current machines.

Be a part of the PANEL

The Farm Progress PANEL is your chance to share your thoughts on key issues. To take part, start by signing up for our daily mobile text service Farm Progress NOW. Just text FARM to 20505, then respond to the text you get back. Later in one of our daily texts we'll provide information about how to sign up for the PANEL. And thanks to the respondents for helping us out.