26^th Annual Zero Tillage

Workshop February 4^th and 5^th, 2004 Bismarck, ND

Nelson Moorehead

Sales/Agronomist

Redfern Farm Services

Hamiota, MB Canada

Opening Remarks

Because of the trend to implement narrow openers, we as retail crop consultants have to be concerned about fertilizer placement and seed safety.

Practical Seed and Fertilizer Placement!

Maximize germination

Maximize seedling vigor

Maximize yield potential

Is a one pass application an option?

Outline

There are several types of openers successfully used in our area

Where do these openers place seed and fertilizer?

The benefits to using these openers

Stainless drop tubes, ¼” for pressure systems, ½” for gravity systems

Seed and Fertilizer placed in opposite corners of the trench.

Paired Row with fertilizer placed 1” below and between seed rows

Available in 3.5” to 5” spreads

Wart Knife

Places high rate of fertilizer near your seed but in a different zone

Roll pin tip

Seed Hawk

Separate narrow knives guarantee the ideal separation between seed and fertilizer conditions.

The 4” packer wheel packs the complete disturbed area.

ConservaPak

Separate opener for fertilizer, which is placed in a row by itself

The double shoot system provides good seed to fertilizer separation.

Mid Row Banders

 Places nitrogen between the seed rows

Soil disturbance is minimal

Preserves soil moisture

Summary

When considering seed and fertilizer placement:

Keep the two a safe distance apart

Have the fertilizer readily accessible for the seed to utilize.

With these options in a one pass seed system there are many benefits:

Eliminates high fuel costs & high disturbance

Undisturbed seedbed

Need/Ability to use high fertilizer rates in your seed row

We have seen huge changes/advancements in this area over the last 10 years.

It is quite exciting to think of what the next 10 years will have in store for this area!!