Q&a: Evolution Of Planter Technology And The Future Of Seed Placement

By: Southeast Farm Press

Planting has come a long way from the days of scattering seeds on the ground and hoping for the best. For two decades, Randy Taylor has paid close attention to new farm equipment technology, especially planters.

Taylor is assistant director of agriculture programs at Oklahoma State University. Previously an extension machinery specialist at OSU and Kansas State University, Taylor tracked new farm technology and its impact on agriculture, including advancements that tilt the productivity odds in the farmer’s favor.

He reflects on how planter technology has evolved and gives his predictions on what’s coming.

Q: How has planter technology advanced in the past few years?

A: The thing about precision-agriculture technology is that it’s been more evolution than revolution. Drive technology went from sprockets and chains to shafts to hydraulic motors. Now we have electric-drive motors on each row unit. The biggest technologies for planters and other ag equipment now are the electronics and control systems.