For James and Nicole Kedar, every planting opportunity counts. The couple own and operate Kedar Farms in Allora, between Warwick and Toowoomba in Queensland’s Southern Downs region.
The Kedars balance running their 242-hectare mixed farming enterprise alongside James' full-time role managing a nearby 800-hectare property. Their operation includes a summer crop of sorghum, barley and faba bean winter crops, as well as a herd of around 50 Braford breeders that are crossbred with Droughtmaster bull.
With a double-cropping program that sees planting begin immediately after harvest, the maintenance of the Kedar’s previous planter was becoming costly. They needed a new planter that could perform in their soil conditions - ‘good black soil’, rocky loam and clay.
Their choice was the Case IH 2110 Early Riser® Rigid Mounted, 8 row planter with 30-inch spacings.
"Last year we had a very hard finish to the season where the soil had cracked terribly. In some spots you could put your arm down the cracks," said James. “Because we started seeding within 24 hours of harvest finishing, we were planting through header tracks, heavy stubble and tough compacted ground.”
"When the soil’s very uneven and hard to penetrate, having the Case IH Early Riser means we've been able to continue on with our operation and keep working in those conditions."
Case IH Australia Product Optimisation and Commercial Training Manager for Seeding and Tillage, Andrew Kissel, said the versatility of the 2000 series Early Riser planter remained a key advantage for growers operating across diverse cropping systems.
“Regardless of soil conditions, the Early Riser planter delivers outstanding efficiency and accuracy,” Andrew said. “These machines can handle a variety of crops and conditions with a high degree of precision because of their advanced row unit design and precision planting technology. The technology particularly plays an important role in seed placement, which helps with a faster crop emergence and a more uniform germination across a broad range of crops.”
For James, the DeltaForce™ hydraulic downforce system has been beneficial to the way they establish crops.
"Being able to adjust the downforce as conditions change means we can push through hard or compacted areas while still maintaining consistent planting depth,” said James. “Then we can increase the closing pressure from the screen to properly close the trench behind it. Compared to older spring systems, the versatility is second to none."
Beyond the DeltaForce system, James said several other design features have stood out for him.
"The rear-pivoting gauge wheels handle rocks much better across our country, the residue managers work really well through heavy stubble, and the two-stage closing system gives much better seed placement than our previous planter."
Features of the 2000 series Early Riser planters include:
- Opening and closing systems improved for difficult soils and tough conditions
- More vertical travel for improved ground following and consistent planting depth in severe terrain
- Speed and productivity without sacrificing accuracy
- Precision Planting® components that can be customised with the most accurate planting technology, direct from the factory
- Simplified serviceability and maintenance
- Ability to track data and performance via Case IH FieldOps™
- Designed for ruggedness and durability to allow higher accuracy at a nominated speed
- Liquid fertiliser and insecticide options
- Optional bulk-fill tanks to provide reliable seed delivery from the tank to the mini-hopper, no matter the seed population
James’s 2110 Early Riser is paired with a Case IH Magnum MX270 tractor, continuing a long family history with the brand.
"We've always run Case IH machinery. We also have a Case IH 2188 combine harvester with a 30-foot, 1010 front and two Case IH 2090 tractors that have been passed down through three generations. We've got a lot of confidence in their reliability."
The planter's reliable performance has proven particularly valuable during the region's recent dry seasons.
"The last few years have been very hit and miss," James said. "We worked the planter hard in some really difficult conditions and we still achieved perfect germination and produced a great sorghum crop last summer. The last three years has seen a great early winter for us but for the season ahead, I’m expecting a run into a very dry finish to winter again."
Growers can see the Case IH Early Riser planter in action at an in-field demonstration being held at the Agtech field day in Emerald on July 23. The planter will also feature at the upcoming 2026 Australian Cotton Conference, to be held on the Gold Coast from 4-6 August.
For enquiries and to order an Early Riser planter, contact your local Case IH dealer.