2022
Field testing, evaluation, and demonstration of small, light-weight, autonomous planter used to plant soybeans
Home
Contributor/Checkoff:
Iowa Soybean Association
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
DiseaseField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
David Krog, Salin 247
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Iowa Soybean Association
$59,473
Institution Funded:
Salin 247
$59,473
Brief Project Summary:

This research project aims to test, evaluate, and demonstrate the feasibility and profitability of using small, light-weight, autonomous, electric-powered machines to grow soybeans in Iowa. Trials conduct on-farm evaluations of selected soybean production practices, such as row width, seed populations, planting speed and residue management alternatives. Emphasis is on evaluating these practices in no-till fields. Efforts will demonstrate planting with an autonomous planter, calculate key performance indicators for that machine and share the results.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, Extension agents, NGOs, equipment companies

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

A report with KPI and other useful planting-related data, information, and conclusions.

Final Project Results

Update:
As of October 17, 2022, only one of the seven test fields planted by Salin 247 has been harvested. Even though collaborator growers were not asked to provide yield data to Salin 247, most are planning to provide either yield monitor data or other yield-related information to Salin 247 following harvest. Yield data can be made available to those interested.

The Final Report for this project is upload below.

View uploaded report PDF file

Despite spring weather challenges and a late start for planting, the Salin 247/ISA testing, evaluation, and demonstration project was very successful in terms of learnings and feedback. A great deal of data was collected. Planting performance was very good and test fields looked great during the growing season. Yield data from the test fields is pending. We learned a great deal about navigation performance and things we need to correct with our navigation algorithm. Energy use was higher than anticipated but data collected will be very useful as well move forward with a new platform configuration. As expected, the light-weight Salin 247 planter had a negligible impact on soil compaction. Key areas of concern that need attention going forward are the use of tracks, the electrical system cooling system, and vacuum motor design. Overall, the project was very productive in terms of learnings and product development progress. The support provided by ISA was invaluable to Salin 247 and very much appreciated.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.