Cotton farmers get access to electric drive seed transmission and more data to drive planting decisions and ultimately improve crop performance levels
John Deere has unveiled a line-up of four 1725C non-central commodity system planters for cotton growers seeking greater agronomic data collection to drive planting decisions toward improved yields.
The 1725C is available in configurations of 12-row/30, 12-row 36/38, 12-row 38/40 or 16-row/30. All combinations are equipped with a full agronomic suite that includes ExactEmergeTM and MaxEmergeTM row units, pneumatic row cleaners and closing wheels, and individual-row hydraulic downforce.
These agronomic tools are supplied as standard in the build and work to improve seed-to-soil contact and crop emergence, and Deere claims their inclusion will increase the yield potential of the crop that’s planted.
Cotton growers who want to apply liquid fertiliser in-furrow or off-set while planting can add the optional John Deere ExactRate™ fertiliser system to achieve that process.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Production System Manager Ben Kelly explained, “The 1725C would be of particular interest to growers who currently plant with the John Deere 1725. This model has been successful in the market for a number of years and given the substantial agronomic and planter monitoring functions on the 1725C, the new model will deliver even more.
“For those growers who love the 1725 planter, the 1725C is built on the same reliable and easy-to-use platform they have enjoyed in the past, but with the addition of electric drive meters, to offer more precise control of seed population and singulation.
“Individual row hydraulic downforce and pneumatic row cleaners and closing wheels also mean growers can expect more uniform seed depth control and better seed-to-soil contact, which we know will deliver more uniform emergence.
“Successful planting is all about accurate seed placement, you need to ensure each seed has the best possible chance of emergence, but sometimes in the heat of the battle, things don’t go to plan.
“When this happens, being able to gather useful information to help understand what has occurred is highly valuable and the 1725C gives operators this opportunity by collecting a powerful range of information, available in the cab and remotely via the Operations Center in near real-time.
“This helps to deliver growers the support they need to reduce mistakes in paddock, and inform decisions to improve next season,” Ben Kelly added.
All 1725C planters include electric drives that provide individual row control as compared to groups of rows on hydraulic-drive planters, with the aim of providing more accurate planting population control. Electric-drive planters also reduce maintenance requirements, as they do not have wear parts like chains and sprockets found in hydraulic-driven equipment.
Growers purchasing a 1725C will get a central commodity system with a seed capacity of 1938 litres and can also choose a hopper size that best fits their farm, with options including 56, 95 and 105-litres.
After a successful showing at FarmFest in Toowoomba QLD last week, the 1725C will be on display at AgQuip at Gunnedah in New South Wales from 22 to 24 August 2023 and will complete its round of demonstrations later in the year during cotton planting season.
“We encourage anyone interested in understanding more about the agronomic value the 1725C planters will bring to local cotton operations, to head to AgQuip or talk to their local John Deere dealer,” Ben Kelly concluded.
John Deere 1725C stack-fold planter specifications
Row Units: 12 rowsEE / ME5e
Configurations: 914, 965 or 1,016 mm (36, 38 or 40-in)
Mainframe: 178×178 mm (7×7-in)
Settings: 3-sections 8 deg. Up or Down
Hitch and Lift: Cat. III with quick-hitch
Fold mech: Hydraulic over-centre stack-fold
Seed app: Electric Drive
