A grower finds the perfect variety of seed . . . He prepares his fields . . . He plants using the most effective spacing techniques . . . He patiently waits for emergence, expecting even stands and maximum yields.

Unfortunately, he is incredibly disappointed. With all of his attention devoted to the details of proper seeding techniques and his painstaking efforts to implement them, he has neglected one critical element: proper closing procedures. In doing so, he has promoted poor seed-to-soil contact, resulting in unhealthy plants and skimpy yields.

Don’t let this happen to you this year! Failure to select effective closing equipment and adhere to proper techniques can cause late emergence or, worse yet, nonemergence. There are a wide variety of closing products currently available on the market to prevent such misfortune. Effective closing equipment gently firms the soil around the seed, leaving loose soil above the seed for ideal seed-to-soil contact; elimination of soil crusting and air pockets; and fast, even emergence. Spiked closing wheels and drag chains are two of the more popular choices today.

Spiked closing wheels in combination with sufficient downforce serve to dislodge sidewall compaction for better seed-to-soil contact and effective trench closure.

Spiked closing wheels are the perfect choice for planting early in the season when soil conditions can be adverse. They perform well in tough environments and break down the soil along the seed trench, eliminating sidewall compaction and providing adequate space for roots to develop in a healthy manner. Spike closing wheels enhance overall performance of most closing wheel systems.

In order to derive maximum performance from your spiked closing wheel system, downforce adjustment is critical. Adjustments should be made to account for soil type and condition. In general, the downforce can be set in the low to mid-range for adequate closing pressure.

For extremely heavy or wet soils, the drag chain acts an excellent supplement to the of the drag chain serve to firm the soil for better seed-to-soil contact and improved germination, while providing even residue distribution. For example, Yetter Manufacturing Company’s 6200 Drag Chain has 19 heavy-duty 3/8” square links, which are beveled to pull the soil aggressively.

The drag chain easily attaches to most popular planters via bolt-on mounting straps.

According to Derek Litchfield, design engineer from Yetter, “The chain creates a seal to conserve moisture, but it leaves the soil loose enough to resist crusting, which makes it very effective in bake- and crust-type soils.”

No technique or fertilizer can rescue crops from the effects of improper closing procedures. Using spiked closing wheels and drag chains for effective trench closure is a proactive way to ensure maximum results year after year.