For the 3rd consecutive year PFRA surveyed about 500 fields in west central Saskatchewan to determine recent trends in direct seeding. From 1994 to 1996 direct seeding increased from 13% to 18% of all seeded fields. When looking only at stubble seeded fields the rate of direct seeding increased from 20% to 26%. Almost all fields seeded after fallow were not considered as direct seeded, because of low residue levels.
We found that direct seeded fields had more diverse crop rotations, including pulses and oilseeds. As expected, direct seeded fields used narrower openers, wider row spacings, and much more on-row packing than conventionally seeded fields. Discers continue to be used on half of all conventionally seeded fields.
When looking at specific fields we found large changes from year to year in the type of equipment being used for seeding. We also found that a large percentage of direct seeding is occurring on different fields each year. It seems that many farmers are taking a flexible approach towards direct seeding.
Allan Cannon, who farms just east of Kindersley, has been investigating new crop rotations under a direct seeding system for the past 3 years. With sponsorship from a local crop club and the District 17 ADD Board, Allan was able to obtain assistance from Green Plan to test his ideas.
Most of the quarter was converted to various stages of a cereal/pulse/cereal/oilseed rotation. A variety of species were included for each crop type. Part of the quarter was left in a wheat/fallow rotation as a check. One of the key findings was the importance of adding adequate fertilizer, to maximize net returns. This was especially true for fallow land, where farmers have traditionally not added significant amounts of fertilizer in this part of the province. Most of the benefit of fertilizer was in yield. It was difficult to manage fertilizer levels for increased protein content.
Al feels that including both pulses and oilseeds with cereals in a rotation is important to maximize benefits.