An apparatus, a system and a method are provided for calibrating a depth control arrangement in each of one or more row units adapted for attachment to a toolbar of an agricultural planter, where each row unit has a depth controlling linkage arrangement including a force transmitting member and a calibration mechanism operatively connecting a ground penetrating element of the row unit to an adjustable-depth gauge wheel of the row unit. The force transmitting member includes an integrally mounted load-sensing element that is monitored during adjustment of the calibration mechanism to remove tolerance stack-up in the linkage arrangement and achieve a uniform desired value of the present load on the force transmitting member of each of the one or more row units that is consistent with a zero-depth or other reference depth setting.
