Another hugely enjoyable video. Fantastic to see a father and son operation. You really seem to enjoy working together. I'm slowly but surely getting through all your videos.
Thanks Kieran! Dad and I definitely do enjoy each other's company and contributions. We butt heads from time to time, but for the most part we get along great and laugh about something every day. Working with him - both in construction and farming - has been a real blessing.
Great videos always, I stopped using chemical type fertilizers a few years ago when we were certified organic. We use Nature safe, it is animal feed. They are out of Georgia. It isn't an instant source of nitrogen, takes a few weeks to be available so we apply it at planting heavy and when cultivating each time.
It looks like you planter is a little nose down, in the video anyway. I’ve planted 1000’s of acres with a JD 7000 and they perform best when the bottom of the drawbar is as close to level with the planter in the ground as you can get it. If this was just the video sorry don’t mean to tell you your business just a tip I picked up over the years. Good luck this season!
Hey Alexander! Greetings from the US! Our planter was 4-row from the factory. We’ve made some upgrades and changes to it, but no major changes to the frame size or anything like that.
Hi, really enjoy your videos and what you are doing. We have a 7000 planter that we use also. We made a 4 inch portable auger on wheels to make loading the fertilizer hoppers tremendously easier. Thanks for what you are doing!
It sure does have its good and bad points! But you're right. My wife and I got the farm early last Saturday, and took a minute in the yard to just gawk at the scenery. We often count our blessings.
Got any old chains laying around? Use short sections and attach to back of row units so they hang with a u shape, they'll drag those dirt clumps into the seed trench and help with closing the furrow.
Thanks Millard! Glad you're enjoying them. And to answer your other question - nope! I decided to wait awhile and see how the supply held out. I've been giving a bit more away to friends and family, and to a couple of my construction customers. And of course, in our own household we aren't holding back at all with this kind of supply, so it's getting used! First thing in the spring everyone and their brother is selling syrup, so I figured waiting a little bit wouldn't hurt.
Just found your channel, good work with the videos. Sounds like I'm in similar stage of trying to farm regeneratively as you. Regarding putting fertilizer all down 2x2, I've been doing largely the same using same logic, and not having great results (although not sure how much fertilizer placement is a factor vs other things). I recently was introduced to the book Hands On Agronomy by Neil Kinsey; I'm only part way thru, but recommend you check it out. Seems like a real smart cookie. He advises against feeding the plant with heavy banding rates; suggests feeding soil with broadcasting. It's definitely making me rethink my approach.
Thanks Nathan! I'll have to check that book out. I always find it interesting how different farmers have different experience with the various methods available. When I broadcast my fertilizer in a no-till scenario, I really didn't like the results - BUT - I only did it for one year, so that's bad statistical analysis on my part. A guy really should take an average. It's hard to observe good scientific practice when each experiment takes a year, and we only have so many years to live, LOL. Next year we're actually going to experiment with making compost, and applying some compost extracts. My ultimate goal is to supercharge the biological components of our soil, get the nutrient cycle working on its own, and try to move away from commercial fertilizer applications. It all takes time though, and a lot of trial and error. It'll be fun if nothing else!
I believe what you're seeing is the marker arm. It makes a shallow little furrow, and when you get to the end of the field and turn around, you line that little furrow up with the center of the tractor and planter, and that gives you the proper row spacing for your next pass. When you raise the planter at the end of the pass, the marker arm that was in the down position raises up when the planter lifts out of the ground. Then when you turn around and lower the planter for the next pass, the opposite marker arm lowers and marks your next pass, and on and on until the field is done, or you run out of seed, or the supper bell rings.
Another hugely enjoyable video. Fantastic to see a father and son operation. You really seem to enjoy working together. I'm slowly but surely getting through all your videos.
Thanks Kieran! Dad and I definitely do enjoy each other's company and contributions. We butt heads from time to time, but for the most part we get along great and laugh about something every day. Working with him - both in construction and farming - has been a real blessing.
What is your fertilizer mixture
Btw really like what your doing, very progressive and well thought out, again good luck.
Great videos always, I stopped using chemical type fertilizers a few years ago when we were certified organic. We use Nature safe, it is animal feed. They are out of Georgia. It isn't an instant source of nitrogen, takes a few weeks to be available so we apply it at planting heavy and when cultivating each time.
Awesome video can’t wait for more
It looks like you planter is a little nose down, in the video anyway. I’ve planted 1000’s of acres with a JD 7000 and they perform best when the bottom of the drawbar is as close to level with the planter in the ground as you can get it. If this was just the video sorry don’t mean to tell you your business just a tip I picked up over the years. Good luck this season!
Hello! Your John Deere 7000 seeder, it was 8-row and you cut it. Or is it from the factory 4-row? I am Alexander, a farmer from Moldova (USSR)
Hey Alexander! Greetings from the US!
Our planter was 4-row from the factory. We’ve made some upgrades and changes to it, but no major changes to the frame size or anything like that.
Starting to use diluted urine for our corn
Interesting! I haven't heard of that before, but it would tend to make sense!
Hi, really enjoy your videos and what you are doing. We have a 7000 planter that we use also. We made a 4 inch portable auger on wheels to make loading the fertilizer hoppers tremendously easier. Thanks for what you are doing!
The frustration of being a small guy!!! I like my little piece which is only 37 acres but I would not trade it for anything!!!
It sure does have its good and bad points! But you're right. My wife and I got the farm early last Saturday, and took a minute in the yard to just gawk at the scenery. We often count our blessings.
What state , town or community is your farm located.
We're in Minnesota, about 35 miles south of the Twin Cities.
Got any old chains laying around? Use short sections and attach to back of row units so they hang with a u shape, they'll drag those dirt clumps into the seed trench and help with closing the furrow.
Next year for sure! Along with upgrades to the whole closing wheel assembly (ours are pretty worn out).
Is that a slat basket in the background?
Like these farm videos. Did you sell all your syrup.
.
Thanks Millard! Glad you're enjoying them. And to answer your other question - nope! I decided to wait awhile and see how the supply held out. I've been giving a bit more away to friends and family, and to a couple of my construction customers. And of course, in our own household we aren't holding back at all with this kind of supply, so it's getting used!
First thing in the spring everyone and their brother is selling syrup, so I figured waiting a little bit wouldn't hurt.
Just found your channel, good work with the videos. Sounds like I'm in similar stage of trying to farm regeneratively as you. Regarding putting fertilizer all down 2x2, I've been doing largely the same using same logic, and not having great results (although not sure how much fertilizer placement is a factor vs other things). I recently was introduced to the book Hands On Agronomy by Neil Kinsey; I'm only part way thru, but recommend you check it out. Seems like a real smart cookie. He advises against feeding the plant with heavy banding rates; suggests feeding soil with broadcasting. It's definitely making me rethink my approach.
Thanks Nathan! I'll have to check that book out. I always find it interesting how different farmers have different experience with the various methods available. When I broadcast my fertilizer in a no-till scenario, I really didn't like the results - BUT - I only did it for one year, so that's bad statistical analysis on my part. A guy really should take an average. It's hard to observe good scientific practice when each experiment takes a year, and we only have so many years to live, LOL.
Next year we're actually going to experiment with making compost, and applying some compost extracts. My ultimate goal is to supercharge the biological components of our soil, get the nutrient cycle working on its own, and try to move away from commercial fertilizer applications. It all takes time though, and a lot of trial and error. It'll be fun if nothing else!
What is the extra arm used for, I've seen it down a couple of times running on top of soil.
I believe what you're seeing is the marker arm. It makes a shallow little furrow, and when you get to the end of the field and turn around, you line that little furrow up with the center of the tractor and planter, and that gives you the proper row spacing for your next pass. When you raise the planter at the end of the pass, the marker arm that was in the down position raises up when the planter lifts out of the ground. Then when you turn around and lower the planter for the next pass, the opposite marker arm lowers and marks your next pass, and on and on until the field is done, or you run out of seed, or the supper bell rings.
Duke incoming 8:00!