|
NE MO & W IL | In my 4 years of testing drilled beans vs. 30 in beans, the 30's usually yield better. I operate in hills and bottom ground. The only case where I have found the opposite is on tight, black, gumbo soil. The 30's just can't get the height they need and the drilled usually do better, especially when no-tilling. On more productive silt loams, my rowed beans usually yield 5 bu. + better. I even tried 15's one year by splitting my 30's (I reduced my pop. on both passes), and the 30's still had a 1-2 bu. advantage. I will admit drilled beans are easier to combine.
Beside yield...
1) 30's have less seed cost ($10-15/ac cheaper depending on pop.)
2) MUCH more uniform immergence.
3) I can get them in the ground twice as fast with my 12 planter vs. my 15' drill.
4) No crooked sprayer tracks from the Co-op.
5) I also think I will be able to penetrate the canopy better in a rust outbreak. But most dealers say it doesn't matter, so that may not be an issue.
What is best for one operator maybe the worst decision for another operator. Especially, several states away, there are just so many variables to look at. | |
|
Sprayer tracks and row spacing.
