You've heard of the Baby Boomer Generation, the Pepsi Generation and the X Generation. Now you can add one more to the list: the DS Generation. That's the Direct Seeding Generation. Statistics show that well over 20% of Saskatchewan's farmers have implemented a low disturbance direct seeding system in their operation. Another 25% have adopted a high disturbance direct seeding system. These are the members of the Direct Seeding Generation (DSG).
You, too, would like to become a member of the DSG but you just haven't made the leap yet. There are many reasons for that, the most common of which is the lack of funds. As you admire the neighbour's shiny new rig, you just can't see yourself owning one of those for a very long time. You think you are destined to be a conventional seeder.
Good news! Think again! There are many ways to begin direct seeding simply by modifying your existing equipment. At the SSCA's upcoming conference, one of the concurrent sessions will feature a panel of 4 farmers who have been able to make the switch without a great outlay of cash. Tom McDougall has taken his Noble DK 5 hoe drill and fitted it with Gen's eagle beak points. Germaine Dauk has fitted his IH 7200 with Atom Jet openers. Clint & Aaron Steinley have an older model frame with Accu Plant double disc openers. Garry Dennis has a Prascoe air seeder and a Morris solid hitch cultivator on 12"row spacing equipped with Skayman points and K Hart mounted packers.
Air seeders can be converted to a direct seeding machine but the key to success is to use a single shoot boot and on - row packers. The packers should be the same width as the opener. The packers should also be compatible with your soil conditions. On heavy clay soils, flat rubber or pneumatic packers work best as they flex and allow the mud to drop off. Steel V packers tend to work better on loam and sandy loam soils. Equipping an airseeder with a double shoot boot may prove disappointing, especially in dry years, as you may not be able to achieve sufficient packing.
Single shooting will limit the amount of fertilizer that can be applied with the seed, particularly if the opener is narrow. Banding fertilizer remains an option in direct seeding. Deep banding with narrow knives travelling at less than 5mph will leave roughly 80% of the stubble standing and yet will not rip up too much ground.
There are many farmers around the province who have figured out a way to join the DSG without having to lay out significant sums of cash. If you have a piece of equipment that you want to modify, chances are someone else in the province has also modified the same model. To get in touch with others who have made modifications to their equipment, contact your Regional Conservationist (Garry, Tim, Ken, Eric, Bob or Juanita) or call the SSCA Hotline (1-800-213-4287) and ask that a query be made in the Farmers Helping Farmers Data Base.