Source: Germinator news release
ARMSTRONG, IA–These days, farmers are inundated with marketing messages on how to increase corn yields with everything from GMO seed corn and advanced herbicides to micronutrients and foliar fungicides. But it might come as a big surprise that a corn grower’s choice of planter closing wheels can have a major impact at harvest time.
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An 11.8 bushel per acre advantage over standard closing wheels
In 2023 and 2024 independent studies on leading closing wheel brands in no-till corn, Germinator closing wheels from Farm Shop Mfg. in Armstrong, IA outperformed four competitive products, including an 11.8-bushel-per-acre advantage over dual rubber closing wheels.
“Planting into heavy residue or dense soils can lead to significant challenges,” noted Tony Wendler, owner of Farm Shop Mfg. “There’s always a careful balancing act between obtaining good seed-to-soil contact and reducing sidewall compaction. Our Germinator closing wheels accomplish both tasks with flying colors.”
What’s the secret to Germinators’ superior performance?
Constructed from durable, heavy-duty steel, Germinator closing wheels feature a unique inner rim shoulder design that firms the seed trench, enhances seed-to-soil contact, eliminates air pockets and reduces sidewall compaction. Add it all up and Germinator closing wheels deliver faster, more uniform emergence, improved root development and better early-season vigor.
But the real “super power” of the Germinator closing wheel lies in its ability to completely close the seed furrow the first time, every time. “With our Germinators, growers don’t see furrows re-opening like they do with other closing wheels,” Wendler added. “Once a Germinator closes the furrow, it’s closed for good. Even in light, fluffy soils.”
Additional features make Germinators an even better value
Along with better corn emergence and higher yields, Germinator closing wheels offer these important benefits:
โขExceptional performance in no-till, conventional tillage, minimum-till, strip-till, ridge-till, vertical tillage and high-speed planting
โขRugged, heavy-duty steel construction for longer life versus rubber or plastic closing wheels
โขThe option of choosing between complete closing wheel assemblies or ring-only inserts compatible with most factory-installed wheels, including John Deere MaxEmerge Plus, XP, and XP Pro, Kinze models from 1993 onward, AGCO White, Massey Ferguson, Great Plains, Monosem, and Precision Planting Ready Row Units
It all adds up to an outstanding return on investment
“Even with today’s depressed corn prices, switching to Germinator closing wheels can mean a significant increase in year-end profits,” Wendler said. “Based on the 2023-24 closing wheel studies, an 11.8 bushel per acre yield advantage over standard closing wheels can mean an extra $47,200 in the pockets of a 1,000-acre corn grower. So, it’s no wonder that our customers describe Germinators as ‘freaking awesome’.”
To learn more about Germinator closing wheels and the other profit-building products from Farm Shop Mfg., please visit www.farmshopmfg.com or call (712) 520-6051.
