Kinze Manufacturing took a significant step forward with its multi-hybrid planter project this spring, deploying several of the planters for trial runs in Iowa and other Midwest states.

The electric-drive planters give farmers the ability to change seed hybrids automatically as the planter moves through the field to suit different management zones.

Kinze conducted performance testing in Texas in February to prepare for the Midwest planting season, said Rhett Schildroth, senior product manager at the Iowa-based manufacturing company. Kinze has also been working with seed companies to refine the new technology, he said.

"Multi-hybrid planting won’t just change things for farmers but also the ...