By Andi Anderson
Planter University workshops, organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will take place from February 3-7 and 11, 2025, across six locations in Iowa.
These workshops provide farmers, agricultural service providers, and precision ag dealers with valuable insights into optimizing planter settings, understanding planter wear, and improving calibration.
Designed to go beyond traditional planter clinics, Planter University offers direct access to Iowa State Ag and Biosystems Engineering specialists. Meaghan Anderson, field agronomist with ISU Extension, highlighted the workshop's value: “Planter University provides attendees direct access to specialists with expertise in planter technology and settings.”
Led by the Iowa State Digital Ag group, the workshops focus on hands-on, small-group learning. Participants will explore row units featuring various technologies, with expert guidance on traditional and high-speed planters. Continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisers are also available.
Levi Powell, an ag and biosystems engineering program specialist, emphasized the practical benefits: “Participants gain the confidence to make adjustments during planting season.” Similarly, Ben Covington added, “The event focuses on understanding planting physics and tailoring settings for individual operations.”
Workshops will be held at six locations:
Feb. 3: Cass County Community Center, Atlantic
Feb. 4: Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm, Sutherland
Feb. 5: Northern Research and Demonstration Farm, Kanawha
Feb. 6: Heartland Acres Agribition Center, Independence
Feb. 7: Crystal Creek Enterprises, DeWitt
Feb. 11: Alliant Energy Ag Innovation Lab, Ames
Registration is $100 per person and includes lunch, materials, and tools like a seed depth tool and closing wheel hold-up bracket. Online registration begins January 2, 2025, and closes seven days before each event. No on-site registration is available.
These workshops are an excellent opportunity for participants to enhance planting performance, ensuring effective and efficient planting across all operations.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Education