Proper Planter Maintenance leads to Better Crop Yields

Feb 05, 2025
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Key Steps to Prepare Your Planter for Planting Success

A well-prepared planter is key to a successful planting season. Routine inspections and adjustments help prevent issues in the field and ensure accurate seed placement.

Essential Maintenance Steps

Before planting, check for worn bushings and ensure row units are secure. Disk openers should be set correctly to create a uniform “V” slot for better seed placement. Closing wheels should be free of debris and pivot smoothly for proper seed-to-soil contact. Row cleaners should be adjusted to move residue without disturbing soil.

Meter calibration is necessary to prevent planting errors. Clean meters thoroughly and calibrate them every 100 acres for accuracy. Inspect application systems, hoses, and nozzles for wear to ensure proper seed treatment. Tires should be inflated correctly to prevent uneven planting and soil compaction.

Field Preparation

Before planting, level the planter to ensure row units engage evenly with the soil. The furrow wall should maintain a proper shape without collapsing. Adjust downforce settings carefully to prevent excess pressure that may hinder seedling growth.

Final Adjustments

Updating GPS systems and planter monitors before planting ensures accuracy and saves time in the field. Proper maintenance helps achieve uniform emergence, leading to better yields. For additional support, consult an agronomist for expert advice on planter adjustments.

Photo Credit: Massey-ferguson-planter-Hero

Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.