Providing nutrients to the soil and distribute seeds with uniformity with the ideal spacing. During the soil preparation for the winter crop sowing, this is the expected performance of a seeder for grain crop.
While sowing, the farmer makes their best choices to ensure yield in the harvest: as much when choosing input as choosing agricultural pieces of equipment.
In this complete guide, you’re going to understand the purpose of a seeder for winter crops, receive hints on how to make good choices, learn how to adjust the agricultural machine in practice, and explore the technical features of the Stara seeders for higher efficiency and profitability in the field.
What is a seeder and its purpose?
A seeder is an agricultural machine used to sow winter crops such as wheat, barley, oats, cereals, among others. Also, it is recommended for rice sowing.
According to the agronomist engineer, Thomas Liska, Stara Product Marketing Coordinator, you can use the equipment to sow pasture such as ryegrass and brachiaria, and soil cover such as turnip, bird vetch, among others.
Therefore, the purpose of the seeder is to place seeds, and in plenty of situations, apply fertilizer. Its main purpose is to ensure that each seed is placed in the correct depth and spacing, decisive factors for good development of the crops. Thomas Liska, Stara Product Marketing Coordinator, states:
"For these machines, the seeder concept is used, as the planting rate is established in kg per hectare, unlike the planters, that are used for seeds per metre."
Types of agricultural seeders
There are two types of seeders, the mechanical and pneumatic ones. Choosing the right model for your crop depends on the crop characteristics, soil type and desired technology level. See the main types of seeders used in the grain crops:
Mechanical seeder
The mechanical seeder applies inputs by means of mechanical mechanisms, such as gears and pulleys.
At Stara, one of the available models is Ceres seeder, which delivers excellent cost-benefit ratio. Models such as Ceres Master 3570 provide versatility for the crop rotation and high efficiency in the direct sowing, highlighting its seed capacity (up to 950 litres) and fertilizers (up to 1,290 litres).
The mechanical models place seeds in the soil using a shaft mounted in the transmission systems, activated by the seeder wheel, highlights Liska. This shaft extends to each row unit, which releases the seeds. They fall by gravity as these seeder models feature seed hopper by gravity.
Pneumatic seeder
The pneumatic seeder uses pressurized air to convey and place seeds and fertilizer with high precision.
Liska highlights that the Stara pneumatic seeders have a central seed hopper with a meter system per rotor. Thus, the equipment meters the correct number of seeds for the entire agricultural machine.
In practice, it works like this: a positive pressure blower pushes the seeds to the manifold towers, distributing the seeds to all planting row units of the equipment. This system provides the pneumatic seeders better distribution uniformity, in addition to allow the crop sowing that demand lower rates.
At Stara, the main models are Guapa and Guapita, perfect for winter crops; Both stand out due to the high performance in bumpy terrains and rate control via Topper 5500 controller.
Therefore, by using agricultural technologies such as sensors, monitors and GPS, you can ensure that each seed is placed at the exact place, in the ideal depth and with regular spacing.
The Stara agricultural machines also enable integrations with other Precision Agriculture solutions. Among them, the automatic shutdown, control system, seed monitoring system, and variable rate system, resulting in less waste, better usage of the sowed area, yield gains, and sustainability.
What’s the difference between a planter and a seeder?
On the other hand, when we compare seeders and planters, one of the choosing criterion is the size of the seeds. Check it out
Seeders
Especially used for smaller seeds and winter crops (wheat, oats, and rice), and focused on a uniform cover.
Planters
They’re recommended for larger seeds, such as corn and soybeans, usually with a higher precision and spacing between row units, and more robust systems for straw cutting.
See more: Seeder or planter: hints to choose the ideal implement
Ten advantages when using an agricultural seeder
Among the main advantages when using a seeder in the grain crop for winter crops, pasture and cover, the following stand out:
- Excellent seed placement in the soil;
- Seeding quality and uniformity;
- Higher germination rate;
- Getting the most out the seeds and seeder;
- Reducing failures and overlaps;
- Saving seeds and fertilizers;
- Optimizing the planting season;
- Increasing the end yield, if compared to the broadcast seeding;
- Reducing the soil compaction;
- Less usage of chemicals and reducing the carbon emission by optimized operations.
Agricultural technology on seeders
At the end of a highly productive operation of the day, can you expect more from a seeder?
Stara has developed a technology to help the farmer in such a moment: when transporting the agricultural implement to a safe place.
Thomas Liska says that one of the main technology resources Guapa and Guapita seeders have, and that really impact on the farmer daily basis, it’s the easy transport and storage of the equipment:
"One of the greatest highlights is the self-transport system of the agricultural machine. With some touching on the controller screen, the seeder goes from operation mode to transport mode, ready to cross the narrow roadways, bridges, and gates, without the operator’s need to get off from the tractor."
Other agricultural technology that makes the difference during operations can be found on Guapa seeder. The pneumatic pressure springs in the row units, which help the implement to copy the terrain and keep the same pressure, making the depth of the seeds uniform in the soil.
Other remarkable feature, among the own technologies developed by Stara, is the agricultural Topper 5500 controller, which allows the soil correction along with the seeder, ensuring an actual economy of seeds and fertilizers.
The on-board agricultural monitor on the Stara seeders also provides:
- Application of seeds and fertilizer at a variable rate.
- Section shutdown of the seeders;
- Integration with prescription maps;
- Adjustment 1 in 1 kg of seed and fertilizer via the Control System;
- Remote access to technical assistance through Conecta directly from the machine cab;
- Full control of the operation in real time by means of Telemetry.
How to adjust the seeder correctly?
Operating in the field with a well-adjusted seeder is the best way to reduce the winter sowing losses, especially in wheat sowing. To ensure that, check out the main instructions to adjust the equipment:
1. Inspect the disks and meter units: the crop type demands specific disks;
2. Adjust the planting depth: according to the soil type and seed;
3. Calibrate the seed and fertilizer rate: use the technical recommendations of the manufacturer of the agricultural machine. If possible, use the prescription maps;
4. Check the pressure of the row units: the Stara Guapita seeder, for example, has adjustable helical springs, from 80 to 180 kg;
5. Use on-board agricultural technologies: Topper 5500 controller, for instance, for real-time adjustments directly from the agricultural machine cab.
The engineer, Thomas Liska, also says that there is some difference when regulating mechanical and pneumatic seeders.
"A fact that really impacts on the mechanical seeder efficiency is using low rates. Usually, these implements cannot be calibrated and adjusted with rates below 50 kg. On the other hand, for pneumatic seeders, the seed rate can be easily reduced."
According to Liska, the seeder hopper dimension influences on the planting yield and efficiency. For this reason, explains the agronomist engineer, that the Stara Guapa Supra seeder was developed with three different configurations, enabling to change the fertilizer dimensions and seeds in the hopper.
How to supply this type of agricultural implement?
Supplying the seeder requires cautions to avoid the contamination with chemical inputs and ensure performance.
- Use the proper PPE equipment when handling fertilizers;
- Clean the hoppers before each usage;
- Use good quality seeds;
- Supply the central-aligned hoppers, such as the Guapita ones (capacity of up to 1,465 L for seeds and 1,915 L for fertilizers);
- Avoid exceeding the capacity to avoid impairing the application.
Preventive maintenance on seeders during the harvest
As the adjustment and supplying, perform the preventive maintenance on agricultural machines in the farm also requires special care.
When added, all these actions ensure good performance and a longer equipment lifespan. Remember the main care with seeders in all the sowing steps:
- Before planting: lubricate the mobile parts, inspect hoses, gears, and calibrations;
- During the usage: monitor the wear of the disks, roller bearings and sensors;
- After planting: clean the implement, unload the hoppers, and store it in a covered place.
In general, during the harvest, the operator should be alert to the equipment performance and detect possible issues in advance. Thomas Liska, Stara Product Marketing Coordinator, explains and gives other recommendations:
"The main seeder care is to always leave the implement clean and lubricated after sowing, as these pieces of equipment use a lot of fertilizer. Another important fact is to check the grease fitting lubrication points of the implement and grease them, if necessary. In addition, it’s essential to inspect the disks, wheels and other running spare parts and replace some roller bearing, when necessary."
Additionally, it’s important to highlight that the Guapa Supra Winter and Ceres Master feature a design that eases the access for maintenance and spare part replacement, optimizing the preparation time.
Stara seeder: how to choose the perfect model?
The Stara seeders were designed focused on robustness, easy adjustment, state-of-the-art technology, and expert technical assistance throughout Brazil. For winter crops, the brand provides comprehensive solutions to all the crop stages.
According to Liska, the first factor is choosing a seeder size in accordance with the tractor it will be coupled to, the technology level of the seeder and the crops to be planted. Check out more details of the agricultural machines:
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Guapa and Guapa Supra: a reference in rice crops and challenging terrains
Models such as Guapa and Guapa Supra stand out in rice crops and other crops that demand a precise terrain copy. Its pneumatic springs ensure uniform pressure between the row units, and its construction allows to operate even in wet or bumpy terrains.
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Guapa Supra Winter and Guapita: performance for winter crops
Guapa Supra Winter and Guapita are perfect to sow wheat, oats, barley, and other winter crops. They perform excellent terrain copy, keeping the sowing depth and an excellent seed distribution. They also provide an entire technology package: Control System, Conecta, Telemetry, and Syncro.
Ceres and Ceres Master: versatility for rotational crops
Ceres is an ideal multifunction seeder for those who pursue flexibility. It’s recommended for soybeans and winter crops sowing. Its cost-benefit and operation capacity in no-till farming makes it an excellent choice for the farmer that seeks efficiency without giving up simplicity.
With Stara, the farmer finds the perfect model for their needs. Besides, the company provides an expert after-sales in the Dealership Network and national technology that does make the difference in the field.
Conclusion
Choosing an agricultural seeder is a strategic choice. When considering the type of crop, terrain, the crop systems and the desired technology level, the farmer can boost their agricultural yield and ensure more sustainability in management, with less inputs and natural resources.
In this article, you learned different types of sowing, the difference between a planter and a seeder, the advantages, and practical hints for adjustment and maintenance. Finally, you became aware of the remarkable features of the Stara agricultural implements, a reference in Precision Agriculture and winter sowing efficiency.
Did you like the hints and want to find out the agricultural machine that best suits your crop field?
Stop by a Stara Dealer and find the most suitable equipment to boost your crop production.
