Multiple agricultural product application method and systems utilizing a drum metering system

A method of planting one of a variety of seed in a field and switching the variety of seed being planted as a planter travels through the field, the method comprising:

• delivering multiple varieties of seed to a seed drum at a row unit, said seed drum including a plurality of seed paths comprising a plurality of seed cells spaced about the seed drum, each of said seed paths corresponding to one of the variety of seed types to be planted and each of the seed paths adjacent to one another on a single drum;
• determining one of the seed varieties to plant based, in part, on the location of the row unit in the field;
• activating a discharge mechanism to the seed path associated with the determined seed variety to be planted, wherein the seed variety associated with the seed path will be directed towards an exit of the seed drum;
• and
• directing the seed from the exit of the seed drum towards a planting location in the field.

An agricultural planter for planting multiple varieties of seed in a field and capable of switching the variety of seed being planted as the planter travels through the field, the planter comprising:

• a plurality of seed tanks containing different varieties of seed;
• a plurality of row units operatively connected to the plurality of seed tanks for receiving the varieties of seed, the row units each comprising:
• a seed meter comprising:
• a. a seed drum including a plurality of seed paths comprising a plurality of seed cells spaced about the seed drum, each of said seed paths corresponding to one of the variety of seed types to be planted and each of the seed paths adjacent to one another on a single drum, said seed drum further comprising a plurality of seed pools corresponding to the number of seed paths;
• and
• b. a discharge mechanism selectively operable with at least one of the plurality of seed paths such that operation of the discharge mechanism with a seed path will discharge a seed variety associated with said path from the seed cells.