As planting season approaches, it’s natural to feel the urge to get rolling as soon as the ground begins to thaw. But with unpredictable spring weather (especially with frequent rain) it’s more important than ever to take a strategic approach. Rushing into the field too soon can cost you in emergence, yield, and input efficiency. Here are a few key planting tips and tricks to help set your season up for success.
1. Don’t Plant Too Soon – Let the Soil Be Your Guide
It might be tempting to get an early start, but wet fields can wreak havoc on seed placement and early root development. Planting into wet or compacted soils can reduce emergence rates and hurt stand uniformity, which directly impacts yield. Use soil temperature and moisture as your guide, not just the calendar.
Tip: Wait until soil temps are consistently above 50°F and fields are dry enough to avoid sidewall compaction. Remember, a strong start pays dividends all season long.
2. Check Over Your Planter – Precision Matters
Before heading into the field, take the time to thoroughly inspect and calibrate your planter. With today’s precision technology and specialized seed types, planter setup is more important than ever. Proper seed depth, spacing, and downforce can make the difference between an average crop and a record-breaking one.
Checklist:
- Inspect seed matters for wear or debris
- Calibrate for proper seed singulation and spacing
- Set row cleaners and closing wheels to match field conditions
- Check tire pressure and monitor technology connections
3. Match Setting to Seed Type
Every seed performs best under specific conditions. Make sure your planter is set for the correct population, spacing, and depth according to the seed type you’re planting. Matching hybrid traits with planter settings and field conditions is a winning combo.
Maximize Every Seed with LaunchPoint™ Premium Seed Treatment Complete
In today’s fast-moving agricultural landscape, staying ahead means embracing innovation, and that starts with how you treat your seed. Seed is one of the most significant expenses on the farm, and LaunchPoint™ is here to ensure not a single seed goes to waste. With a focus on maximizing seed performance and protecting early growth, LaunchPoint™ offers a revolutionary, all-in-one approach to seed treatment that helps farmers getr the most value from every acre.
LaunchPoint™ isn’t just another seed treatment – it’s a complete performances system. By combining full rates of cutting-edge fungicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators, and biologicals, LaunchPoint™ provides comprehensive protection and enhancement for your crop’s most critical growth stages.
From improved seedling vigor to strong disease resistance and better stand establishment, LaunchPoint™ is designed to give your seed the best possible chance to thrive – right out of the ground.
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LaunchPoint ™ Planter Box Initiate Corn:
A top-tier planter box solution designed to replace traditional seed fluency agents while delivering enhanced performance at planting. This 80/20 talc/graphite blend is fortified with 1.35 pounds of IONLOCK™ ZINC, plus Iron and Manganese, to improve seed singulation, optimize early micronutrient uptake, and support vigorous emergence. Its patented BIO-CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY ™ allows for easy, on-demand activation of live biologicals at planting, promoting massive root structure and stress resilience. Convenient and powerful, offering ultimate coverage and consistent seed-to-soil performance. With INITIATE CORN, you’re not just planting – you’re positioning your crop for season-long success.
INITIATE Planter Box Treatments:
Using BIO-CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY™, INITIATE delivers live microbes and nutrients at planting. Available for soybeans and corn, it improves seed flow, singulation, and root development, while boosting early-season nutrition with IONLOCK ™ Zinc, Iron, and Manganese.
LaunchPoint ™ helps farmers plant with confidence – combining high-performance inputs with user-friendly application. It’s your key to protecting your seed investment and driving stronger yields all season long.
LaunchPoint™ Emergence-Z: A Powerful Boost for Early Growth
Emergence Z is designed to give your crops a head start when it matters most. Packed with 8 essential early-season nutrients and a higher zinc concentration than competing products, Emergence Z supports rapid root and shoot development, laying the foundation for stronger strands and better yields. This micronutrient supplement also includes stress-reducing biostumulants to help young plants thrive under challenging conditions. With a simple on-farm application, Emergence Z is easy to use and highly effective. Available in 5lb and 25 lb packages, it’s a smart, affordable way to protect your seed investment and promote vigorous early growth.
