For the second year, the SSCA held two direct seeding field days, one in the north and one in the south. While the rain 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. Several manufacturers commented that they made sales at both field days.
900 producers attended the field day at Rosthern's Seager Wheeler Farm on June 7. While the Seager Wheeler Farm has been holding field days for the past few years, this was the first time one was held in conjunction with SSCA's Direct Seeding Field Day. The assistance we received from the Seager Wheeler Farm volunteers helped make the day run smoothly.
Thirteen direct seeding machines were on hand to demonstrate their ability to direct seed into standing stubble. The seeding demo was the most popular demonstration with people crowded around equipment jockeying for a better view.
The residue management demos were also well attended. Organizers unrolled bales of unthreshed wheat to simulate harvest conditions. Each combine made four 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.
There were also plots demonstrating direct seeding "Do's and Don'ts" and herbicide tolerant crops. An information session was held with presentations on crop and pest management. In addition to demonstrations on the latest in crop production techniques, the Seager Wheeler Farm also had horticulture demonstrations and horse plowing demonstrations.
When the sky opened up on June 16 and dropped 1/2 inch of rain on the field day site few people would have thought that the field day would go ahead the next day. While we had to push some of the vehicles into their parking spot, the site had dried enough by the afternoon to run the demonstrations. Even though the conditions were wet, local producers told us they would have been seeding in these conditions. 600 producers attended the Regina field day on June 17. Those who attended were able to see the equipment work under some of the toughest soil conditions in Saskatchewan (wet Regina Heavy Clay). As with the Rosthern day there were also residue management and sprayer demonstrations.
Plot tours during the day included one of SSCA's Do's and Don'ts of direct seeding plot sites. The demonstration site is also the location of one research trial. The Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation are using this site as part of a larger direct seeded special crops trial.