The questions in this bearpit traditionally extend over a very wide range of topics and this year's bearpit was no exception. This can present a bit of a challenge for the panel members of this bearpit, but there was usually a response based on personal experience or from a research point of view. The four panel members were comprised of Terry and Guy Fletcher; farmers from Conquest, Garry Thiel; a farmer from Shellbrook and Guy Lafond, an Ag Canada Research Scientist from Indian Head. I acted as chairperson for the bearpit and helped fill in a few gaps during the session.
The session started with equipment oriented questions, such as "Which is better to buy for direct seeding: an airseeder or air drill?" Questions on openers and packing also were discussed. Surface roughness after seeding in a direct seeding system was also a concern of some participants in the bearpit. The farmer panelists provided their experiences in these issues and for weed control and cropping rotations. Guy also provided valuable research information from a variety of sources.
There were a large number of participants who were either seriously looking at making the switch to direct seeding or who were about to start direct seeding this year. The valuable aspect to these bearpit sessions has always been that the farmers attending can ask questions that are specific to their individual situation. Although there may not always be agreement on the answers, they do receive information that they can use to help make their own decisions.
Starting direct seeding can be a bit intimidating to many farmers, but those attending the conference and the bearpits are starting on the right track. They are obtaining as much information as they can before they start direct seeding. The blend of technical and practical farmer experience has proven to be a good mix. If nothing else, it allows farmers to meet and exchange experiences that can be implemented on the farm.
Thanks to all the farmers who attended the bearpits and made them a success and I hope to see many of you at the SSCA Field Days in June.