Seeding Rates

Each year more and more technology is delivered via the seed and as the convenience factor increases, so does the price.  As a result, seeding rates continue to decline.  It is now more important than ever to think about seeding rates in seeds per acre or seeds per foot.  Cutting seeding rates can save you money but precise planter calibration can save you not only money but also the headaches of replanting.  Research done over the years has shown that lower plant populations can achieve similar yields, but 3-4 plants per row foot is consistently the highest yielding and easiest plant population to manage.  When cutting seeding rates don’t forget the fungicides and think twice about cutting seeding rates during early planting.  The last thing to consider when determining seeding rates is the warm AND COOL germination tests.  Many producers forget about the importance of the cool germ test.  Consider this, germination is a very general term and most seed will germinate but the real test of vigor is the cool germ test.  The cool germ test is much more similar to the planting conditions that you will face and seed with a cool germ test of at least 60 should be used.  Seed is expensive and getting stand is critical, so don’t settle for poor quality seed.  For help with seeding rates please try our interactive seeding rate calculator.