In 1996, the SSCA decided to hold two direct seeding field
days, one in the north and one in the south. While the rain, snow
and generally wet conditions tested our patience, both field days
were a success. Producers were able to see the latest equipment
in action and make side by side comparisons. Several producers
told us that they were using the field days to help them make
their final decision between two or three different machines. The
manufacturers commented that they made sales at both field
days.
700 producers attended the field day at Wilkie on June 11. This was the first time a major field day was held in the northwest region of the province. Those in attendance appreciated having the field site having typical soil conditions for the area. However, the residue conditions on the field were low because of the drought in 1995.
Nine direct seeding machines were on hand to demonstrate their ability to direct seed into standing stubble. Each seeder was demonstrated twice during the day. The second demonstration was on the residue management demo area to simulate higher residue conditions. The two seeding demos were the most popular demonstrations with people crowded around equipment jockeying for a better view.
A unique feature of SSCA's field day are the May seeded plots of canola and wheat. Eight commercially available seeders seeded these plots to provide a comparison of crop establishment for the field day. These plots gave producers the opportunity to not only see the seeders working on that day but also see the results from each seeder a month after a crop was seeded. 200 producers toured these plots throughout the day.
There were also plots demonstrating surface applied granular herbicides, direct seeding "Do's and Don'ts", and the effect of stubble and tillage on soil temperature and crop emergence.
The residue management demos were also well attended. Farmers were very interested in how the residue management equipment would work in the very windy conditions at the field day. Organizers unrolled bales of unthreshed wheat to simulate harvest conditions. Each combine made two passes to demonstrate uniformity of the spread.
Spraying equipment was also demonstrated at this years field
day. The spraying demonstration featured both high clearance and
field sprayers. The windy conditions gave everyone the chance to
see how effective the various wind screens are.
The Regina field day was originally scheduled for June 18 but 3/4 inches of rain the night before forced us to postpone the field day until June 21. Even with the postponement 250 to 300 farmers toured through the May plots. Some international visitors from Europe were disappointed we were not seeding on the 18th because they wanted to see the equipment work under "their conditions". 350 producers attended the field day when it eventually happened on June 21. Those who attended were able to see the equipment work under some of the toughest soil conditions in Saskatchewan (wet Regina Heavy Clay). The demos at the Regina field day were similar to the Wilkie except there was only one seeding demonstration.
The demonstration site is also the location of two research trials. It is one of five second year locations of the Ag. Canada/PAMI Side-band Bolt-on Opener Trial. Gord Hultgreen, PAMI and Guy Lafond, Ag. Canada, were on hand to explain the experiment and answer any questions. The Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation are using this site for a high disturbance vs. low disturbance direct seeded special crops trial.