Chad,

In real "gumbo" generaly the less done in the spring the better. This is one condition I recommend fall strips. In the spring just run the row cleaners lightly to level a path but not expose more sticky stuff and run two Curvetines per row.

This is an interesting thread because it points out the competing objectives in corn planting.

For one, corn needs to be planted at least 1.5-1.75 inches deep to get proper primary and brace root development.  Corn planted at 2" or deeper can be tough to get properly closed with good seed to soil contact and no air pockets AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SLOT.  It's just hard to close many soils at the bottom of a 2-2.5" deep slot by pressing on the top with a 1" x 4 or 5" rubber tire contact surface.

Also corn yields can be significantly affected by the UNIFORMITY of seed depth - so all plants emerge and pollinate closer together time wise rather than spread over a wider time window.

Corn and all seeds like to be in moisture but also want the proper closure, uniformity and seed to soil contact that get more difficult the deeper you plant.

The only way we can realistically talk about 1/4" differences in seed depth and uniform seed depth when we have enormous amounts of residue from maybe 150-200 bu corn stalks, even worked, is to use some sort of row cleaner to clear a level path so the row unit gage wheels can do their job.

As we plant into more difficult soil conditions the closing wheel also becomes more important. The Curvetine for example can get the air pockets out of the bottom of the seed slot and provide good seed to soil contact and a pock marked surface to minimize the crusting and slot opening seen in some conditions. Curvetines help eliminate the "160 acre concrete slabs".

Unit mounted row cleaners can also be set down in extremely dry conditions to move dry soil out yet still plant at a consistent target seed depth. This is especiaslly important planting later beans into loose spring worked corn ground where much of the moisture has been worked out of the soil for several inches deep. Interesting thread.

Jim at Dawn