Fifteen-inch rows may offer a way to capture high yields from narrower rows and to lower seed rates due to better seed placement and higher emergence percentages. Data were collected on canopy closure date, harvest population, and grain yield. Yields of soybean planted with different planters using different seeding rates. Note that all of these numbers are based on the assumption that costs to own and operate planting equipment are the same for all three planter types. These data show that, providing equipment and operating costs are similar, the drill is still one of the most profitable methods of producing soybeans in the northern half of Illinois.
Returns assume equal planter costs for the three planters.