March 29, 2006

World record corn grower uses Case IH 1200 planter

Francis Childs is still learning what it takes to grow top corn yields. In the last ten years, Childs has won the national corn growers competition seven times, taken second twice, and been disqualified once. Childs has used Case IH Early Riser planters for years. He set the world record corn yield of 442 bushels per acre in 2002. A dry land farmer, Childs' fields received 35 inches of well timed rain to help achieve the world record yield. That same year, Childs had several other plots on his farm yield more than 500 bushels per acre.
MANCHESTER, IOWA

In 2005, Childs raised 320 bushel per acre corn with 16 inches of rain during the growing season. This 320-bushel yield took second in the 2005 National Corn Growers competition. Childs says, We're in northeast Iowa. We were on the edge of the same drought that hit Illinois this past year. We were pleased to achieve this yield in a dry year.

1200 planter provides accuracy and superior seed to soil contact

In 2002, Childs achieved his 442-bushel world record corn yield with his Case IH 800 eightrow Early Riser Cyclo planter. This was a 30-inch row planter. Childs now uses an Advanced Seed Meter 1200 twelve-row 20 Early Riser planter which was custom built by his local Case IH dealer. He especially appreciates the accuracy of the 1200 planter. He says, With the 800 planter, I'd plant at 2 miles per hour to make sure I had the precise in-row spacing that top yields require. The 1200 planter allows me to get that same precise in-row seed spacing while planting at 4.5 miles per hour. He continues, I've always liked the Early Riser row units on the Case IH planters. Top yields require uniform seedling emergence. Seedlings that emerge late will cut your yield. The Case IH planters do an excellent job of putting the seed into a moist seed bed and gently firming the soil, giving all the seedlings a chance for quick and even emergence.

Tested 800 and 1200 planters

Childs tells corn growers that the number one criteria in achieving top corn yields is willingness to change. To that end, Childs is regularly testing and trying new approaches to all aspects of growing corn. To determine the planting accuracy of the 1200 planter, Childs did a side-by-side test of the 800 and 1200 planters. Planting at 2 miles per hour, both produced the same yield. Planting at 4.5 miles per hour, the 1200 planter out yielded the 800 planter by 25 bushels per acre. Childs admitted, Planting at 2 miles per hour is a little boring. The seed placement and accuracy of the 1200 planter will allow growers to achieve better yields at a more realistic planting speed.

Coke can test

Childs is a stickler for details, particularly at planting time. We want absolute uniform planting depth. Our target depth is from 1-3/4 inches to 2 inches. The depth we choose in this range will vary by moisture conditions. Whatever we choose, we want every seed to be placed exactly the same. This gets back to the importance of field-wide uniform emergence. You want every plant to have equal access to sunlight. A late emerging seedling will never catch up, and the plant will not yield its potential. says Childs. Childs wants his seedbed as smooth as possible before planting. He prefers that his field cultivator run the exact same direction as the planter in the final field preparation pass. He explains, We're trying to eliminate planter bounce as we move down the field. Speed is a factor. A level field with minimum ridging is also a factor. We've found that the traditional cultivation pass at an angle to the planting direction creates additional planter bounce. Childs uses what he calls the Coke can test to determine optimal planting speed. He opens a can of soda, drinks half of it and places the can and it's remaining contents on the planter box. He says, You're seeding at the right speed if you can go from one end of the field to the other without spilling the soda. If your planter is bouncing around due to either excessive planting speed or rough field conditions, your depth control and yield will suffer. Childs admits that there is not a single thing that will allow farmers to achieve superior corn yields. It's the combination of many different improvements. He says, You have to be willing to question everything. 'The way we've always done it.' will not allow you to achieve better yields. I'm looking for improvements in every area. The Case IH 1200 planter is a good improvement. This planter, in combination with good agronomic practices, will allow farmers to improve corn yields.

For more information: Mike Pruett Case IH (507) 386 -1737 mike.pruett@cnh.com

Note to dealers from Mike Pruett:

Just as Francis Childs has discovered, Case IH 1200 series planter customers have found they can plant at faster ground speeds than they have in the past and still achieve unparalleled seed placement accuracy with the 1200 planter. Excellent seedbed conditions are the key to faster ground speeds.

For additional copies of this issue, contact the DMC and request Seeding News, March 29, 2006 edition.
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