Course in Agricultural Machinery: Smart Seed Drills
Online 300-hour course in agricultural machinery: smart seed drills. 6 modules covering ISO 11783 (ISOBUS), ISO 7256-1 (test methods for hill-drop planters) and Precision Planting 20|20. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the agronomic objectives of precision seeding.
Prepare prescription maps for variable-rate seed application.
Calibrate and adjust a smart seed drill in the field.
Configure sensors, section control and ISOBUS communication.
Plan maintenance to ensure reliability during the season.
Analyse the economic and agronomic return of variable-rate seeding.
Design a field trial to validate a seeding strategy.
Who it's for
- Precision agriculture technician wishing to specialise in Agricultural Machinery: Smart Seed Drills.
- Agronomic seeding adviser wishing to specialise in Agricultural Machinery: Smart Seed Drills.
- Seeding machinery specialist wishing to specialise in Agricultural Machinery: Smart Seed Drills.
- Service technician at an agricultural dealership wishing to specialise in Agricultural Machinery: Smart Seed Drills.
- Precision seed drill operator wishing to specialise in Agricultural Machinery: Smart Seed Drills.
- Farm manager wishing to specialise in Agricultural Machinery: Smart Seed Drills.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter extensive arable farming.
What you'll work with
- ISO 11783 (ISOBUS)
- ISO 7256-1 (test methods for hill-drop planters)
- ISO 4254-9 (planter safety)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 (CAP strategic plans)
- RD 1051/2022 (sustainable nutrition of agricultural soils)
- ISO 25119 (functional safety in agricultural machinery)
- EU Code of Conduct on agricultural data sharing
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Agronomic objective of good seeding1.2Row drills, single-seed drills and no-till drills1.3Components: hopper, metering unit, tube and row unit1.4Mechanical and pneumatic metering systems1.5Individual electric metering units1.6Row units and depth control1.7Closing wheel pressure and soil contact1.8Localised fertiliser application at seeding1.9Seeding monitoring from the cab1.10Workshop: specifying a seed drill for a crop
2.1Soil, yield and zone maps2.2Defining management zones2.3Prescribing rates by zone2.4Map formats and loading them into the terminal2.5Section control and headland shut-off2.6Synchronisation of rate and speed2.7Verifying the actual rate applied2.8Operation logging and seeding map2.9Interoperability between brands2.10Practical: preparing a variable-rate prescription
3.1Metering unit calibration by species3.2Checking the rate statically and in the field3.3Adjusting depth and pressure3.4Levelling the implement and working speed3.5Checking distribution between rows3.6Singulation and spacing in single-seed drilling3.7Misses and doubles: diagnosis and correction3.8Seeding in moist and dry soil3.9Checking emergence and assessment3.10Practical: calibrating and assessing a seeding operation
4.1Flow, seed and depth sensors4.2Automatic down-pressure control4.3Satellite guidance and pass-to-pass repeatability4.4Seeding on previous lines and controlled traffic4.5Terminal, controls and machine configuration4.6Telemetry and remote monitoring of the operation4.7Real-time alarms and diagnostics4.8Farm data management4.9Limited connectivity and fallback modes4.10Practical: configuring the terminal and sensors
5.1Pre-season maintenance5.2Discs, shares and wear parts5.3Seed tubes, cleaning and blockages5.4Pneumatic system: fan and ducts5.5Chains, drives and bearings5.6Sensor calibration and verification5.7Storage between seasons5.8Critical spare parts for the season5.9Logging interventions5.10Practical: a seed drill maintenance plan
6.1Seeding cost per hectare6.2Return on variable-rate seeding6.3Effect of seeding quality on yield6.4Optimal density and crop response6.5Seed and fertiliser savings6.6Cost of technology and its depreciation6.7Seeding quality indicators6.8Common errors in precision seeding6.9Evolution of sector technology6.10Final project: a season seeding plan with variable rate
How you'll learn
Training 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Precision Planting 20|20, QGIS, Climate FieldView, Trimble Ag Software, Excel, in free, academic or trial versions. Trials are studied using real procedures for rate calibration on a test bench and in the field, distribution uniformity tests and variable-rate trial plots. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the agronomic objectives of precision seeding.
Prepare prescription maps for variable-rate seed application.
Calibrate and adjust a smart seed drill in the field.
Configure sensors, section control and ISOBUS communication.
Plan maintenance to ensure reliability during the season.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course works with Precision Planting 20|20, QGIS, Climate FieldView, Trimble Ag Software and Excel. Free, academic or trial versions are used, and the tutor will indicate a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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