1. HOW WILL KNOWING MY SEED SIZE INCREASE YIELDS? [Return to Questions]

Studies strongly indicate that yields increase through the use of narrow rows and higher plant population. Through correct population and better plant spacing (fig.4) yields will increase. However, correct plant population is difficult to achieve because seed size varies which creates a problem in knowing where to set your drill. Because of the varying seed size a sample of each variety planted should be sized and the drill or planter setting adjusted to correspond to your bean size. Contrary to popular belief that soybeans compensate in a lower plant population environment,

2. HOW WILL KNOWING MY SEED SIZE SAVE ME MONEY? [Return to Questions]

When purchasing certified seed, request or select a small seed variety which will automatically give you more seeds per lb. At equal population a small see (3,000/lb.) vs. a larger seed (2,000/lb.) will plant three acres instead of 2 - a one-third saving on seed cost per acre. At $15.00 per bushel for certified seed, that immediately saves you $5.00 for every acre you plant. Test results from Iowa State University indicated there is no noticeable decrease in viability for small seed varieties (3,000/lb. to 3,900/lb.). With $15.00 per bushel cost for certified seed and a $6.00 per bushel market price (Spring 1982), many farmers plant certified seed one year and the following year plant their own cleaned bin-run seed. By owning the Accu-Bean-Chek sizer, these farmers can determine their seed uniformity and seed count per lb. Sizing a sample of your seed will also save seed cost by not overplanting small seed which can reduce your yield due to lodging, barren stalks, etc. or underplanting larger seed which would result in thin stand, thus resulting in lower yields. NOTE-Purchasing seed in sixty pound bags rather than fifty pound units will save an additional 17%.

3. HOW WILL KNOWING THE UNIFORMITY OF SEED SIZE HELP ME ACHIEVE A "GOOD STAND"? [Return to Questions]

A seed sample that is uniform in size would be similar to approximately 90% of the beans falling into two adjacent levels of the sizer. Figure 3 below is an example of a sample that is not uniform. Planting such a sample would result in irregular planting patterns and bunching of plants even though the correct plant population is achieved. The bunching of plants creates a "weed effect" causing weak and spindly stalks, barren stalks and increased lodging. The skips produce nothing, reducing overall yield, as does the bunching. However, if your seed sample showed the uniformity of seed size your planting pattern would be more uniform resulting in well-spaced vigorous plants - "a good stand".

4. HOW CAN THE BEAN SIZER HELP ME EVALUATE THE QUALITY OF MY SEED?
[Return to Questions]

Soybean seed vary in size from extremely large (1,500/lb.) to extremely small (6,000/lb.). Laboratory and field tests from Iowa State University, and seed companies, show no noticeable difference in plant vigor, emergence or yield between large (1,500/lb.) and small (4,000/lb.) beans. However, there is a significant difference in plant vigor and yield drop with extremely small seeds passing through a 14/64 in. screen which run over 4,000 seeds to the pound. Extremely large seeds under 2,000 seeds per lb. have a tendency to crack and grind when planted with some grain drills. Therefore, many seeds at the number one level, 19/64 in. screen would indicate a large, expensive-to-plant type seed subject to sever cracking and grinding in a grain drill. Also, if a large percentage of very small seeds are found in the bottom level, less plant vigor and a lower yield could be expected.

5. WHY DO I NEED TO KNOW THE NUMBER OF SEEDS PER POUND?
[Return to Questions]

The number of seeds per pound varies greatly not only from farm to farm (weather and fertility), but within a variety and among varieties (some tend to be larger or smaller in size each year). The seed size determines the number of pounds planted per acre. The screens chosen by you or the seed company, when the seeds are cleaned, greatly affect the seed count per pound. We cannot over emphasize the importance of knowing your seed count to determine the exact number of pounds to be planted per acre for your selected population. The farmer who plants his beans on the same drill setting each year, without compensating for difference in seed size, is probably wasting seed and experiencing plant lodging by overplanting or reducing yields by under population. Thoroughly study the "Pounds-to-Plant Chart" in figure 5. Note the many combinations available. One of them is correct for your seed size, based on the total plant population chosen for your plant type, soil type and fertility.

6. IS THE BEAN SIZER FOR LARGE FARM OPERATIONS ONLY? [Return to Questions]

Not at all. I am sure that the smaller acreage farmer is just as interested in obtaining a higher yield and increasing his net profit-per-acre. It is reasonable to expect the bean sizer to pay for itself on the first ten to twenty acres with increased yields through correct population for your soil type and fertility.

7. SEED COMPANIES HAVE SIZED SEED CORN FOR YEARS, WHY DON'T THEY SIZE SOYBEAN SEED? [Return to Questions]

We give much credit to the seed companies, although they are few, who are attempting a size grading of seed, rather than merely cleaning. We suspect it is less profitable for companies to size seed and until farmers demand it, as they have with seed corn, companies will continue using their present methods. Now, however, with Accu-Bean-Chek soybean sizer you can "grade" the seed companies on their graded seed to determine which companies do an acceptable job in meeting your need for seed uniformity and quality.

8. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PLANTING IN NARROW ROWS?
[Return to Questions]

Increased yields at harvest. When farmers went from 40" rows to 30" rows they experienced a 10-15% yield increase. Then the progressive farmers experimented by splitting the middles to 15"-20" rows. Again a 10% to 12% yield increase was noted. It is very realistic to expect an additional 10% increase with 6" or 7" rows. The success of these narrow rows is determined by you. Higher yields, through increased population, does not necessarily occur without adjusting your planter or drill to achieve equi-distance between plants and an even planting pattern. For example, when a farmer switches to a 7" row from a 15" row, he may not achieve the 10% increase because he may leave his planter in the shed and us a drill, but he is losing the precision planting a planter gives him. When he loses that planting accuracy, because of the poor uniformity of seed size the planting pattern and equi-distant plant spacing are sacrificed. This is where the Accu-Bean-Chek sizer is an invaluable aid. It will size a sample of the seed the farmer chooses and determine the uniformity of the seed which enables him to regain that precision in planting by knowing where to set his drill for his desired plant population. There are many other advantages to narrow rows; one of which is the equi-distant plant spacing which allows better exposure to the sunlight for each plant. Another plus is that planting in narrow rows eliminates the need for a cultivator and cultivating, which saves on labor and fuel costs. Another advantage to the elimination of cultivating is the level ground which results, thus combining is easier, and you can combine around wet spots, and in any direction should beans lodge. Also, combining on the level uncultivated ground results in less machinery stress. Another important factor -- when planted in narrow rows, soybeans pod higher, thus you avoid excessive cutter-bar loss. Planting in narrow rows also has important conservation effects: soil is protected and conserved by early plant leaf canopy and more soybean residue is left on the ground serving as winter cover protection against soil erosion.

9. SEED COMPANIES AND STATE UNIVERSITIES HAVE SUGGESTED PLANTING SEEDS BY THE FOOT, WHY DO YOU RECOMMEND PLANTING NARROW ROWS BY THE POUND?
[Return to Questions]

Calibrating your planter on firm ground or a hard driveway surface at slow speed is not at all similar to field planting conditions. A five to fifteen per cent variance in seed placement is not uncommon, because loose, rough or uneven seedbeds result in wheel slippage. If you choose a planting population of 250,000 for a determinate variety planted in 7" rows and experienced a ten per cent drop in planting rate you have missed your planting population by 25,000 plants, which is equal to the entire planting rate of an acre of corn!

10. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT MY IDEAL PLANT POPULATION IS? [Return to Questions]

Seed companies and universities give suggested plant population for each of the plant types based on their experiments with those plant types. As a beginning, it is satisfactory to use their recommendation. However, we believe you will want to fine-tune these general guide lines for each field depending on your soil type, fertility and row width. To do this you should plant the recommended pounds per acre, but on a check strip increase the rate approximately 20,000 to 25,000 plants per acre, thereby enabling you at harvest time to determine the effects of the increased planting rate on yield or possible adverse results, such as lodging, but because of the check strip results you have been able to zero in on your optimum plant population.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Accu-Bean-Chek is designed to provide the farmer with a method of achieving precision planting of soybeans by determining the uniformity in the seed planted, thereby enhancing the planting accuracy, population and pattern. The increase in yield and productivity that you can anticipate by the use of Accu-Bean-Chek may vary from farm to farm based upon difference in soil type, fertility, weather conditions, your farming management relative to planting, machinery maintenance, desired plant population and seed size selected.

The Accu-Bean-Chek is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product. During the warranty period, product determined by us to be defective in form or function will be repaired, or at our option, replaced at no charge. The customer is responsible for shipping at their cost, any defective product or parts thereof to Accu-Bean-Chek representatives at which time a determination will be made as to product or part replacement.

This warranty does not apply if the product or component has been damaged by abuse, act of God, or as a result of service or modification by anyone other than an Accu-Bean-Chek representative. This warranty is in lieu of any other warranty expressed or implied. In no event shall we be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, such as lost revenue arising from the purchase or failure of this product.