A hot, humid day greeted the crowd that gathered for Seeding Trends 2002 at the historic Seager Wheeler farm east of Rosthern. The event attracted approximately 650 people to the eighth annual field day that took place June 5th. The large crowd came from all four corners of the province, and the high attendance rate showed there is significant interest in the adoption of direct seeding techniques.
The day began with the arrival of the Honourable Clay Serby, Deputy Premier and Minister of Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization (SAFRR). After touring the orchard, Mr. Serby made the announcement that the Seager Wheeler farm had been designated an Agri-Arm site.
Next on the agenda was a panel that featured three producers experienced in direct seeding. Darryl Reynolds of Nokomis, Ron Leonard of Harris, and Leo Grenier of Bellevue discussed two key issues, namely fertilizer management in drought conditions (with the opportunity to top dress) and crop disease in direct seeded systems. The panel also included Dr. Guy Lafond, a researcher with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Penny Pearse, a plant disease specialist with SAFRR.
The panel discussed the application of post-emergent nitrogen as a risk management tool, especially during drier years. This topic will be discussed at greater length in upcoming Prairie Steward issues. The producers also identified the need for increased awareness of disease identification and disease control methods. They reiterated that disease pressures in crops can be alleviated by practicing good agronomy methods, including lengthier crop rotations and balanced fertility packages.
Three concurrent sessions followed the panel discussion. Participants had an opportunity to tour the forage plots on the site, attend presentations on topics such as diseases and direct seeding and post-emergent fertility applications, or participate in a field demonstration on intensive fruit production in the orchard area.
The noon hour program included two keynote speakers: Dr. Ernie Barber, Dean of the College of Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, and Dr. Larry Gutek, SAFRR. Both speakers discussed the theme "Looking Back - Looking Forward" as it related to the Seager Wheeler farm, and talked about the farm's impact on past, present, and future research at the University and in the province.
Following the noon hour agenda, attendees were transported to the demonstration sites. The afternoon began with an SSCA demonstration on the do's and don'ts of direct seeding. In a year that lacked snowfall and spring rains, we demonstrated the response of Harrington barley to differing rates of potash and determined safe seed place rates. It is important to note potassium plays a key role in regulating the opening and closing of the stomata on plant leaf surfaces, particularly in drier years. Initial results show that emergence is affected with higher seed placement rates of potash when compared to checks and side band placement.
The next demonstration profiled six high clearance sprayers. Representatives from Rogator, John Deere, Apache, Brandt, Flexicoil, and Case IH spoke about their machines and each made a pass down the half-mile stretch of field.
A new demonstration introduced at this year's event focused on post-emergent fertility application trials. The demonstration showcased the various implements that can apply fertilizer after the crop has emerged. The units on hand included a liquid coulter, a dry spreader, and a dribble bar that could also apply foliar fertilizer.
The highlight of the event was ultimately the direct seeding demonstration. Eleven different units were featured at the demonstration, where barley was seeded into canola stubble. The seeding pass made by each unit was flagged and will be signed. Individuals interested in a particular opener or drill are welcome to stop by and view the crop through to maturity. The drills and openers featured at the demonstration included Harvest Technologies side banding wing for liquid, Seed Hawk, ConservaPak, Ezee-On 7550 air drill, John Deere, Techno Till openers, Bourgault 5710 mid row banders, Flexicoil 5000 air drill, and Peacock Industries. Morris Industries entered the final two drills, the Never Pin and Express seeding units.
A tour of all the demonstration trials plus the University's variety trials is scheduled from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 11th, 2002. Everyone is invited to come and view the results.
Seeding Trends 2002 received highly positive feedback from attendees and participants. As a result of this success, coordination of next year's field day has already begun. Seeding Trends is the major fund raising event for the Seager Wheeler Historical Society. We encourage everyone to visit the Seager Wheeler farm and attend Seeding Trends 2003.