DR.SIMER VIRK
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
Regular In-Field Planter Checks -With cotton planting underway across the state, we want to emphasize the importance of regular in-field checks during planting to ensure good planter performance and avoid costly mistakes. A few important things to pay attention to while planting:
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Make sure that the seed meters are putting out the target seeding rate (seeds per ft) on each row unit and achieving the desired seed spacing. Check this more often after switching varieties, as different seed sizes require different vacuum settings, and it needs to be adjusted accordingly for proper metering.
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Check seed depth by digging behind multiple rows across the planter, especially when conditions change from one field to another. Planter downforce may also need to be adjusted from one field to another, as different soil types and conditions require different downforce for optimal seed placement.
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When planting in strip- or no-till conditions, make sure to adjust the row cleaners and closing wheels properly so the furrow is created and closed properly with good seed-to-soil contact. Both attachments would occasionally require adjustments as conditions vary from one field to another.
2025 Planter Research Update – We also recently shared some data and key findings from our 2025 cotton research studies in a blog post (available at the link below). To summarize, here are a few key takeaways:
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Singulated cotton (one seed per drop) showed improved emergence and stand uniformity over hill-drop cotton and, therefore, is recommended for uniform seed spacing and stand establishment.
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Seeding rate errors are very common for traditional seed meters (no singulation components). Therefore, precision seed meters (equipped with singulation components such as the John Deere ME5, Precision Planting eSet, or vSet) are recommended to improve seed metering and placement.
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Cotton yield was similar across a range of seeding rates tested at different locations across the state. There is an opportunity to lower and optimize seeding rates to reduce seed costs without affecting yield, especially for growers planting higher rates (>2 seeds per ft)
https://precisionag.auburn.edu/blog/2025-cotton-planter-studies-key-takeaways/
Singulated Cotton Seed Plates – Considering we recommend planting singulated cotton, there have been some questions about the different seed plate options available for singulating cotton seed. The video below covers different seed plate options, especially for John Deere seed meters and Precision Planting (eSet and vSet) meters.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Hj-CvKKkQ1g
To summarize these options quickly, John Deere offers 32-cell (for standard seed meters) and 64-cell (for ME5 seed meters) singulated cotton seed plates. Precision Planting offers a 60-cell seed plate for eSet meters and a 32-cell plate for vSet (electric-drive) meters. If you are using Case IH or other seed meters, check with your dealer about the singulated cotton seed plate options, as most manufacturers offer singulated cotton seed plate options for their seed meters. ∆