Corn Starter Fertilizer Systems Study - ExactShot™
The purpose of this study is to evaluate higher planting speeds, utilizing John Deere’s ExactShot™ and its effect on spacing, emergence, and yield.
- What Beck’s set out to test
- The purpose of this study is to evaluate higher planting speeds, utilizing John Deere’s ExactShot™ and its effect on spacing, emergence, and yield.
- What they found
- Efficiency Over Yield. The primary finding after three years of testing is that dosing fertility closer to the seed is yield neutral compared to a steady stream, but it improves logistics and profitability through lower application rates.
- Yield Performance. In 2025, the 2 gal. /A.
- Profitability Trends. While the overall 3-year multi-location ROI remains negative for all starter treatments, the 2 gal. 82/A.
The Story: The "Why" Beck's Tested This For two consecutive years, in-furrow starter fertilizers have not shown significant benefits in many PFR studies. This study evaluates the John Deere ExactShot™ system, which aims to improve the efficiency of starter applications. Instead of a traditional steady stream of fertilizer, the ExactShot™ system doses fertility directly onto the seed. The goal is to determine if this targeted approach can improve profitability and logistics by allowing for lower use rates while remaining yield neutral.
Key Observations Efficiency Over Yield: The primary finding after three years of testing is that dosing fertility closer to the seed is yield neutral compared to a steady stream, but it improves logistics and profitability through lower application rates.
Yield Performance: In 2025, the 2 gal. ExactShot™ treatment provided the highest yield increase over the control at +3.1 Bu./A. .
Profitability Trends: While the overall 3-year multi-location ROI remains negative for all starter treatments, the 2 gal. ExactShot™ rate is the closest to breaking even with a 2025 average ROI of -$0.82/A. .
Field-Specific Success: Specific field conditions influenced performance; Field 1 (Mason City, IL) and Field 3 (Kilbourne, IL) both saw positive returns for the 2 gal. ExactShot™ treatment at +$13.32/A. and +$14.86/A. , respectively.
Lower Use Rates: Dosing allows for significantly lower volumes of fertilizer (2-4 gal./A. vs. 6 gal./A. in-furrow), which simplifies logistics during the busy planting season 2025 Results 3-Year Multi-Location Starter Fertilizer Systems - ExactShot™ Return On Investment 2025 Starter Fertilizer Systems ExactShot™ Return
On Investment Control - No Starter Fertilzer FAQs Q: Does ExactShot™ increase yield compared to traditional in-furrow applications? A: Research indicates the system is yield neutral; however, in 2025 testing, the lower 2 gal. and 4 gal. ExactShot™ rates actually produced slightly higher yields than the 6 gal. traditional in-furrow application. Q: Why would I use ExactShot™ if the average ROI is still slightly negative? A: The main advantages are logistics and efficiency. By using lower rates (like 2 gal./A.), you can plant more acres between fertilizer refills while maintaining yield, which can be critical during narrow planting windows. Q: Are there additional costs associated with the system? A: Yes, the study accounts for a $5.00/A. technology fee for using the John Deere ExactShot™ system.
Findings and charts on this page are published by Beck’s Hybrids and are reproduced here with attribution and a link to the original. Practical Farm Research (PFR)® and PFR Proven™ are trademarks of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc. John Deere and ExactEmerge™ are trademarks of Deere & Company. Beck’s conducts and owns its research independently; it was not commissioned by Koenig Equipment or by John Deere. Koenig Equipment is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting as an agent of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc. Beck’s operates the Commitment Rewards program and handles all redemptions.