MELFORT, Sask. – Farmers working the heavier soils of northeastern Saskatchewan view direct seeding as a way to save on expenses rather than preserve moisture.
Farmers at the Melfort Rotary Club’s third annual direct seeding day held in mid-May heard direct seeding reduces the number of field operations. In an area where that can be up to five per season, it can quickly affect the bottom line.
Clarance McAusland, a Melfort-area farmer, said direct seeding has reduced his costs through fewer operations. He said he attends direct seeding events to see what he can improve about his operations and to find out what is new in minimum-till planting.
Read Also
Agri-business and farms front and centre for Alberta’s Open Farm Days
Open Farm Days continues to enjoy success in its 14th year running, as Alberta farms and agri-businesses were showcased to increase awareness on how food gets to the dinner plate.
Adrian Johnston of Agriculture Canada, said farmers want to eliminate the number of operations, so applying seed and fertilizer in the same pass is a must.
“Side banding seed through bolt-on modifications is one of the focuses of the Melfort research station.”
Minimum tillage, rather than zero tillage, is the aim of most operating direct seeding equipment, said many farmers at the event. While increasing crop residue is an interest, retaining too much moisture or providing too much insulation from spring warming can delay seeding. That’s aconcern for those in northern areas, especially in an area where canola is an important crop.
“Water or wind. Here in the northeast it seems we either have one type of soil erosion or the other,” said Garry Mayerle, of the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association.
Mayerle said the area produces higher amounts of crop residue than in the south and that means farmers who plan to make a move into minimum tillage have been looking for ways to handle the residue. Mayerle said reducing tillage in this area means reducing field work, saving fuel, equipment and labor.
“Up here, it is not so much having the ability to produce crops, it is more important to reduce the costs of production in a sustainable manner.”
