An ideal start to the crop year involves the crop germinating and emerging from the ground as early as possible. With a finite amount of days for the crop to grow and mature, especially in years featuring highly variable weather, growers typically begin planting as soon as field conditions allow. The timeline that a crop can begin growing once seed and fertilizer is placed in the ground is dependent on several factors. One of the most important environmental factors involved in seed germination is soil temperature.
The temperature of a soil is dependent on several factors including air temperature, soil type, moisture levels and residue levels from the previous crop. In terms of germination, different seeds require different minimum soil temperatures; wheat, for example, germinates at a minimum of 4 degrees Celsius while soybeans require soil temperature to be at a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius. As soil temperatures increase, crop growth increases as well. Conversely, germinated seed in cold soils will take longer to grow and become increasingly susceptible to soil borne disease and insect damage in early growth stages.
In general, soils that are tilled in the spring warm up quicker with reduced residue from the previous crop allowing air and sunlight to contact the dirt. Zero and conservation till systems may take longer to warm due to the increased presence of residue and moisture especially in heavier soils. During seeding operations, the dual-knife opener system found on the Väderstad Seed Hawk creates micro-strip tillage which allows quicker warmup of the soil in the seed row while avoiding disturbance of the surrounding soil. This combination of soil warmup and moisture retention allows the crop the quick start required to complete the growing season quickly and efficiently.
Väderstad Seed Hawk Air Seeders and Precision Delivery Air Carts Model Year 2026 are now available for purchase. Talk to your local dealer today.