Precise Depth Placement Key to Planting Success

May 17, 2024

Exploring HORSCH’s Maestro Row Units

Consistent seed placement and uniform emergence are two components that make for a successful planting system.

HORSCH knows this. And they have developed its Maestro row units to do just that.

Jeremy Hughes, Product Manager at HORSCH, recently spoke with Farms.com to highlight the innovative features of the Maestro row units, specifically designed for North American farmers seeking precision and efficiency in their planting operations.

These units stand out for its advanced tech integrations and robust construction, tailored to meet the demands of diverse farming environments.

A key feature of the Maestro row unit is its direct mounting to the toolbar, which eliminates the need for bolts or U-bolts. This design ensures that the row unit can handle extra downforce and operating in tough soil conditions, as well as for high-speed applications.

This robust mounting system supports the unique parallelogram setup of the Maestro units, which utilizes a through-shaft design at the rear and a combination of hardened and softer bushings at the pivot points.

“Instead of having 8 pivot points with bushings, we only have four,” says Hughes.

This design reduces wear and maintenance while ensuring the unit remains perpendicular across extensive acreage.

Another significant advancement in the Maestro row units is the electric metering system.

Hughes added that HORSCH was the first in the industry to introduce planters with electric drive meters and hydraulic downforce, launching this technology as part of the Maestro series in 2011.

The electric motors are direct center driven, providing precise control over seed rate and spacing, which overall enhances the reliability and accuracy of the seeding process.

The Maestro row units include multiple fertilizer placement options, such as below or behind the seed, as well as a variety of customizable closing systems.

Additionally, the units can be equipped with Yetter row cleaners from the factory.

If you are looking to upgrade your planting equipment, the Maestro series offers a combination of durability, precision, and ease of use.

Watch the below video as Hughes walks you through the row unit.

Video: Dr. Fei Yang Discusses Corn Rootworm, European Corn Borer, and Pest Monitoring

What insect threats are Minnesota corn growers facing, and what research is helping farmers stay ahead of them?

At the 2026 MN Ag Expo, University of Minnesota entomologist Fei Yang shared updates on three Minnesota Corn-supported research projects focused on insect monitoring, seed treatments, and pest resistance.

Current work includes statewide monitoring programs that use pheromone, light, and sticky traps to track key pests such as black cutworm, true armyworm, corn earworm, European corn borer, and corn rootworm. Researchers are also evaluating whether high-rate seed treatments provide effective corn rootworm control and studying the development of resistance in European corn borer populations to Bt corn traits.

These projects help researchers better understand pest pressures across Minnesota and provide farmers with practical information to support informed management decisions.