Equipment Needed To Plant And Harvest Corn
Corn is one of the most important staple crops grown in the United States, and it is used for a wide range of purposes, including human consumption, animal feed, and biofuel production. To plant and harvest corn successfully, farmers need to have access to a range of specialized equipment. In this article, we will discuss the various types of equipment needed for planting and harvesting corn.
Planting Equipment
The first step in growing corn is to plant the seeds. There are several pieces of equipment that are essential for this process, including:
- Tractor with Corn Planter: This is a specialized piece of equipment that is designed to plant corn seeds at the appropriate depth and spacing. The planter typically consists of a series of planting units that are attached to a frame that is pulled by a tractor. The planting units use a variety of mechanisms to place the seeds in the soil, including disks, seed tubes, and press wheels.
- No-Till Drill: This is a similar piece of equipment that is used for planting corn without tilling the soil. No-till drills use special coulters that cut through the residue on the soil surface and plant the seeds directly into the uncultivated soil.
- Fertilizer Applicator: Corn requires a significant amount of fertilizer to grow properly. Farmers typically use a specialized piece of equipment known as a fertilizer applicator to apply the fertilizer directly to the soil during the planting process. The applicator can be attached to the planter or used as a separate piece of equipment.
- Sprayer: It is important to control weeds and pests during the early stages of corn growth. A sprayer is used to apply herbicides and insecticides to the corn plants after they emerge from the soil.
Cultivation Equipment
Once the corn plants have emerged from the soil, it is important to keep the weeds under control and provide the plants with the necessary nutrients. This is done using specialized cultivation equipment, including:
- Cultivator: This is a piece of equipment that is used to remove weeds and loosened the soil around the corn plants. Cultivators feature a series of blades or shanks that are arranged in rows and are attached to a frame that is pulled by a tractor. The blades or shanks can be adjusted to cultivate the soil at different depths, depending on the stage of corn growth.
- Sidedress Applicator: After the corn plants have reached a certain height, they require additional fertilizer to continue growing properly. A sidedress applicator is used to apply additional fertilizer directly to the soil around the base of the plants.
- Sprayer: As the corn plants continue to grow, it is important to continue controlling weeds and pests. A sprayer is used to apply herbicides and insecticides to the corn plants.
Harvesting Equipment
Harvesting corn is a critical step in the production process, and it requires specialized equipment to do it properly. Some of the essential pieces of harvesting equipment include:
- Combine Harvester: This is a large piece of equipment that is used to harvest the corn plants. The combine uses a series of rotating blades to cut the corn stalks and separate the grain from the rest of the plant. The grain is then collected in a tank on the combine, while the rest of the plant material is either returned to the soil as fertilizer or used for animal feed.
- Corn Head: This is an attachment that is used with the combine harvester to harvest the corn plants. The corn head features a series of snapping rolls that pull the ears of corn from the stalks and feed them into the combine for processing.
- Grain Cart: This is a specialized trailer that is used to transport the grain from the combine to a storage facility. The cart is typically pulled by a tractor and is equipped with a large tank that can hold several hundred bushels of corn.
- Grain Dryer: After the corn has been harvested, it needs to be dried to a safe moisture level for storage. Grain dryers use a combination of heat and airflow to remove excess moisture from the corn.
Conclusion
Growing corn requires a significant amount of specialized equipment to do it properly. From planting to harvesting, farmers must have access to a range of tools and machinery to ensure a successful crop. By using the right equipment, farmers can increase their yields, reduce their costs, and make the most of their land.
