Under-The-Seed Tubes "Boost Yields 5 Percent"

Under-The-Seed Tubes "Boost Yields 5 Percent PLANTERS Planters 31-2-16 Brent Wisenburger thinks the Hutterite Colonies that farm near him in South Dakota have a better idea when it comes to placement of liquid starter fertilizer. For years they have been placing it under the seed with feeder tubes that attach to the front of the scraper between the disc openers. The tubes leave a light layer of dirt in between the seed and the starter. "Local colonies had hundreds of them installed on John Deere planters by a local John Deere dealer," says Wisenburger. "We hold the patents for them now. Our comparison plots indicate they increase plant stand and provide a 5 percent yield advantage over traditional liquid starter placement." Wisenburger and a partner have been marketing the starter fertilizer tubes under the brand Totally Tubular. They have expanded beyond Deere to include Kinze, Great Plains and White planters. "The tube has to be welded to Deere, Great Plains and White scrapers, so each tube comes with a new scraper plate and sells for $41," explains Wisenburger. "We just bolt them in place on the Kinze so they sell for just $27.50. The offset design of Case IH planters prevents us from getting the tube down and under the seed." Wisenburger notes that some farmers have found an added advantage to installing the units with new scrapers. "The finger we weld to on the Deere planters are the most overlooked wear item on a planter," he says. "I've talked to guys who replace their disc openers every year, but never replace the scraper." He describes one vistitor to the company booth at a farm show. He looked at the display unit and said his scraper didn't match. It was sharp and narrow. "He didn't realize it was worn down and as a result the discs were running too close together and pinching his seed tubes," says Wisenburger. "He was replacing the tubes every year as holes were worn in them, but never replaced the scraper." Wiesenburger recommends installation when disc openers are being replaced and preseason maintenance is being done. Gauge wheels and disc openers have to be removed to replace the scraper plates. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Totally Tubular, 403 N. 1st St., Aberdeen, S. Dak. 57401 (ph 605 216-2102; brentw49@abe. midco.net; www.totally-tubular.net).

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