The Leading Edge - Issue 28

Cutting Costs Without Cutting Profitability

The ever-increasing cost of fuel and fertilizer is affecting growers more significantly today than in the past. It is difficult, if not impossible, to continue to maintain production
agriculture operations without making some changes in methods and procedures. The question becomes, “How can growers cut costs without cutting yield potential and profitability?”

Dry Magnum Fertilizer coulters

More often, growers are choosing to add attachments and options to their planters and toolbars, making them more versatile and enabling them to complete several tasks simultaneously. In doing so, they are reaping the savings in terms of time and money by making less passes through the field. This alternative is particularly relevant with the higher costs of fuel and fertilizer.

Switching to coulter tillage practices enables growers to
multitask and upgrade more easily. For example, adding
a fertilizer knife or injection nozzle to a coulter transforms it into a tough, efficient fertilizer placement system. Popular coulter choices include the 2987 Series Magnum™ Coulter from Yetter Manufacturing Company, which is ideal for mid-row banding, side dressing, and pre-plant fertilizer application in tilled or untilled soils. The Double Hub Coulter is also a smart option as; it features an arm that delivers the cutting benefits of two coulters on one arm for economical one pass tillage.

Coulters can also be combined with residue managers and can be added to a planter for maximum effectiveness and versatility.

Titan™ Floating Residue Manager
with Shark Tooth® Wheels

After the residue manager kicks the residue out of the way, the coulter loosens the soil without creating air pockets which, eliminates compacted sidewalls, and sets the stage for the planter opener. In just one fuel saving pass, this practice provides many benefits including a reduction in planter bounce and more precise seed placement. In addition, seed rows warm more quickly, and the coulter-tilled soil invites moisture infiltration.

Another popular alternative is the high capacity fertilizer cart. Tank capacities of up to 1,600 gallons stretch out the time between refills, producing significant savings in fuel costs and eliminating non-productive down time.

All Steer High Capacity
Fertilizer Cart

For example, many growers have opted for the Yetter All Steer High Capacity Cart, which can be used for herbicide, fertilizer, or insecticide application during planting, side-dressing, strip tilling, and cultivating.

There are a wide variety of attachments and options currently available on the market designed to provide maximum savings—fewer passes through the field means less fuel expended, less time wasted, and more money in the grower’s pocket.

Explore your attachment options, and start saving today!


Visit www.yetterco.com to review past issues of The Leading Edge and Yetter products that maximize your yield potential.

Notice – The information contained in this guide is offered in good faith by Yetter Mfg. Co., Inc. to further the understanding of no-till farming. However, the use of the information provided is beyond the control of Yetter Mfg. Co., Inc. and in no case shall Yetter Mfg. Co., Inc. or any seller of its products be responsible for any damages which may occur from the use of this information. All such risks shall be assumed by the user.