Best machine to drill sugar beet?

Answer 1

In the US, sugar beets and wheat are never commercially planted with the same machine, due to the different seed sizes and shapes. Additionally, the spacing between rows and individual plants of each are normally quite different. If you can find a machine with interchangeable plates (the part that holds or picks up the seed), variable row spacings from six to as much as 30 inches, and can vary seed spacings within a row from as little as 1/2 inch to as much as 8 or 10 inches, then you might be able to use that for both crops. Otherwise, you are best to use a grain drill for the wheat and some type of individual unit row planter for the sugar beets.

Answer 2

For commercial, large-scale farming, the best results planting sugar beet seed have usually been from using a vacuum or air-type planter. These machines use a negative- (vacuum) or positive- (air) pressure system to pick of one seed at a time on the plate (the disc-shaped part that holds the seed) and then drop it gently down a tube into the soil which has previously been opened slightly to allow placement of the seed. Seeding depth and population can be very accurately controlled, all while moving through the field relatively fast. JOHN DEERe, CaseIH, and Monosem are some well-known brands.

With a quick change of plates, these can also be used to plant large-seeded species such as corn, soybeans, garden beans, and numerous other crops.