An apparatus for delivering a seed to a planting surface, comprising: a seed meter configured to entrain and release the seed from a seed disc at a seed release location; a seed conveyor disposed to receive the seed after the seed is released from said seed disc at an upper end of said seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a belt configured to convey the seed from said upper end to a lower end of said seed conveyor and release the seed with a rearward velocity relative to said seed conveyor; a first loading wheel disposed adjacent to said seed release location, said first loading wheel being driven for rotation, wherein said loading wheel compresses the seed against an opposing surface, and wherein said loading wheel ejects the seed toward said seed conveyor; and characterized by a guide (430, selected from a group in which said guide comprises: (i) a plurality of laterally spaced fins, and wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, and wherein said plurality of circumferential fingers extend between said plurality of laterally spaced fins during rotation of said first loading wheel; (ii) a plurality of laterally spaced fins, and wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, and wherein said plurality of laterally spaced fins extend between said plurality of circumferential fingers during rotation of said first loading wheel; and (iii) a fin, and wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, and wherein said fin extends between said plurality of circumferential fingers during rotation of said first loading wheel. a seed meter configured to entrain and release the seed from a seed disc at a seed release location; a seed conveyor disposed to receive the seed after the seed is released from said seed disc at an upper end of said seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a belt configured to convey the seed from said upper end to a lower end of said seed conveyor and release the seed with a rearward velocity relative to said seed conveyor; a first loading wheel disposed adjacent to said seed release location, said first loading wheel being driven for rotation, wherein said loading wheel compresses the seed against an opposing surface, and wherein said loading wheel ejects the seed toward said seed conveyor; and characterized by a guide (430, selected from a group in which said guide comprises: (i) a plurality of laterally spaced fins, and wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, and wherein said plurality of circumferential fingers extend between said plurality of laterally spaced fins during rotation of said first loading wheel; (ii) a plurality of laterally spaced fins, and wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, and wherein said plurality of laterally spaced fins extend between said plurality of circumferential fingers during rotation of said first loading wheel; and (iii) a fin, and wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, and wherein said fin extends between said plurality of circumferential fingers during rotation of said first loading wheel. (i) a plurality of laterally spaced fins, and wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, and wherein said plurality of circumferential fingers extend between said plurality of laterally spaced fins during rotation of said first loading wheel; (ii) a plurality of laterally spaced fins, and wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, and wherein said plurality of laterally spaced fins extend between said plurality of circumferential fingers during rotation of said first loading wheel; and (iii) a fin, and wherein said first loading wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential fingers, and wherein said fin extends between said plurality of circumferential fingers during rotation of said first loading wheel.