EXACTRIX PRODUCTS KINZE NH3 PLANTER

	Beatrlce,NE. Steve Wiese of southeastern Nebraska modified his turntable, 16 row, Kinze planter to the Exactrix 2KA system. Steve also added a second starter fertilizer system for seed row P. A Big John Computrol planter and seed drop control system displays the seed drop pattern. The PC based display screen shows the seed drop pattern.
	The variable rate, Big John Computrol rolling memory displays the actual spacing of the seed so the operator can adjust tractor speed to the maximum efficiency. The seed spacing Is based on optimum population for the soil. The ground speed for most applications 4.5 mph. A defective or plugged corn metering feed is easily identified.
	Steve removed the Yetter 2996 openers that he had used in 2000. Bourgault MRB openers were installed in 2001. Opener performance in wet soybean residue was greatly improved with the Bourgault MRB fixed angle openers with closing wheels.
	The Big John Computrol also drives the Exactrix E-6 Direct Injection NH3 pump. The seed rate and NH3 Is constantly changed based on the visual lay of the land and Steve's extensive knowledge of the soil productivity.
	Since Steve is applying on both dryland and irrigated the Exactrix NH3 rates vary between 80 and 140 lbs/N per acre. This sounds low but when Exactrlx NH3 is applied at planting the reduction of NH3 Is about 30% as compared to the "old fashioned" preplant NH3 pressure reducing systems. The pressure reducing NH3 systems have port to port variance of 30 to 40%. The Exactrix system has variance below 1%. Thus accuracy and the timing of NH3 is perfect for maximum yields with minimum Inputs.
	The Bourgault NH3 banders are located about 5 inches away from the seed openers and mounted on a front extension of the planter bar. The Bourgault MRB openers are fixed at a 7degrees The openers trip up for soybean planting. Steve's Exactrlx system modification paid an average return of $40 net per acre in 2001. With 2,000 acres of corn production you can easily calculate an $80,000 return for a $25,000 investment.
	Exactrlx NH3 reduction, 60 lbs....$12.OO/A. Yield increase 10% or 14 bu 24.00/A. Elimination of tool bar pass 7.00/A. Compaction reduction with a single pass. ?$/A Average net dollars per acre....$43/A us.

Getting Started
...... with No-till, Planter Applied NH3, P, in 2002.

1. Calculate your own economics. The formula is a A. 10% yield increase. B. 30 to 40% reduction in NH3 at a 2 year average price of 18 cents per lb. of N. C. Elimination of the separate application of NH3 posted at $7 per acre by UNL. D. Improved soil tilth, reduced compaction at $4 per acre. Thus A+B+C+D net dollars. The figures often come out at $40 per acre net advantage.

2. Determine if your planter is capable of no-till single pass planting. Planter weight is a real plus in no-till. Modification of planters not designed for no-till is a mistake. Contact producers that are planter applying NH3 for a complete review.

3. Determine your seed row P and insecticide requirements. Consider the new liquid P systems. Or use the new Exactrix Delta P liquid application system. CV is less than 0.65% with the Exactrix Delta P manifold. This reduces your risk with P dollars because of the dual stage, Delta P manifolds unique variable rate capability. Go to www.exactrix.com/DeltaP.htm

4. Order an Exactrix 2KC direct injection NH3 system. Lead times are 90 days for all Exactrlx products.

5. Order Bourgault MRB NH3 openers with closing wheels. Budget $600 per opener. The openers are available from Exactrlx distributors throughout the Midwest. No other opener is presently approved for application of NH3. Two sizes are available.

6. Set up two NH3 trailers with a minimum capacity of a single 1,450 gallon tank with bottom outlet This allows the operator to stay In the tractor seat much longer. Twin 1,000 gallon top outlet tanks are also a good way to go. Twin top outlet tanks have very low pressure drop. The trailers are set on 120" gauge width. This produces controlled traffic and allows the tires to track between the corn rows and on the tractor gauge. You can order a Deere 8400T or a Challenger 55 on 120" gauge in the future.

Trip stands are added to the trailer axles to weigh the wide gauge. Planks can be used at narrow scales to lift the tires off the ground and yet apply pressure to the scale. The 120" gauge allows the tanks to be placed at 5.5 feet above the ground line. Dual tanks are set at 5 feet above the ground line. Wide gauge also produces better tracking on slopes. Steer axle trailers are best in rolling terrain. Turntable trailers have rollover problems in Missouri valley area. Steer axle trailers are also approved on 90" gauge.

You can build your own trailers or you can contact at a trailer manufacturer specify R-2-0 rice and cane tractor tires. This grip selection produces less soil sucking in corners. Plus the tires are more durable. Plus the floatation is better. Implement tires slick the soil and have very high 35 psi tire pressure...Bigger tire diameters have lower soil pressures. Your tire should be no wider than 18". Go to trailers.

The trailer tongue can telescope for transport. Steve Wiese has a telescoping tongue that allows the planter to swing back for transport. Study this feature if you have a Kinze swing type planter. You can study at www.exactrix.com/trailers.htm for tips.

If you desire to buy your own tanks and trailers please contact Exactrix for the best setups in your area. Some Coops buy the tanks and the producer buys or builds the trailers. Control of the tanks is critical at planting. Coops like this new program. Trailers are a maintenance problem for Coops. Customer owned trailers are mandatory for top results. Tanks

7. Good relations with your fertilizer dealer are important. Alert your Coop or fertilizer dealer that you will be applying NH3 at planting. Make certain that you have coordinated trailer delivery and cycle times of about 4 hours. The extra time to hook up the trailer to the planter has been timed at 6 minutes. This a pretty good return to get $40 per acre. This is production breakthrough.

Your fertilizer dealer will like this new program since it allows for less hassle with sales and delivery of NH3 in slower times. He will also like the fact that 30 to 40% less NH3 is applied. This means he can offer you more higher margin phosphate and micros to further improve his bottom line and yours. Remember....NH3 is over applied and Phosphate is under applied in corn production.

8. Applying NH3 at planting is not a new practice. DNS Wheat producers in the Dakotas and Canada and SWW wheat producers of the Pacific Northwest have been doing this system since 1981. These producers are way ahead of corn producers in reducing costs. "It works, Time proven, More net dollars result, Just Go Do It, Advance planning now... pays big returns. Airseeders

9. Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and South Dakota is the path of least resistance. Why?.... Because corn production in these areas have lower margins than the eastern corn belt. No-till, single pass, corn production fits these areas since No-till corn is rapidly being adapted. Contact your county agent. UNL. has a great support team for going No-till, single pass, NH3 application.