PNW
CONSERVATION TILLAGE HANDBOOK SERIES
Chapter 2 - Systems and Equipment, No. 8, Fall 1987
Conservation Tillage Equipment Directory in Progress
Roger Veseth
Significant advances
in conservation farming technology through the STEEP conservation farming
research program and related research efforts is revolutionizing farming
practices in the Northwest. One of the most visible and dramatic impacts
of this new research technology is the resultant changes and additions
in equipment options.
Preliminary Equipment Directory
To help inform growers of these recent equipment
changes, a directory of conservation farming equipment is currently in
the beginning stages of development. The following PRELIMINARY directory
of conservation tillage equipment includes three equipment categories
which represent the most frequent areas of equipment information request
to STEEP Extension. These include:
1. Conservation Tillage Drills
2. Drill Attachments for Conservation Tillage
3. Combine Residue Spreading Attachments
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! This preliminary directory is a first attempt
at identifying the commercial manufacturers, their product, and a Northwest
dealer contact, if not located in the Northwest, Your help is needed in
identifying the equipment and manufacturers which have been overlooked,
If you know of any drill, drill attachment or combine attachment which
relates in any way to conservation tillage and should be included in this
directory, please contact:
Roger Veseth
Ext. Conservation Tillage Spec,
P. S.E.S. Dept.
University of Idaho
MOSCOW, ID 83843-4196
or call (208) 885-6386
A detailed questionnaire
is being sent to all identified manufacturers for more details on their
equipment. Black and white pictures of the equipment and component options
are also being requested. A detailed directory will be compiled when the
information and pictures are received. Ideally, the directory information
will also be available in some form for computer access.
Conservation Tillage Drills
When the STEEP research program began in 1975 Northwest growers
had few equipment options for conservation tillage. The availability of
grain drills which could effectively seed under minimum tillage or no-till
conditions was a particularly severe limitation to grower
adoption of conservation tillage practices. Fewer than five models of
commercial conservation tillage drills were available, none of which were
capable of deep banding fertilizer. The bulk of the nitrogen fertilizer
had to be broadcast: a problem which, for most of the region, resulted
in lower fertilizer use efficiency, limited yield potential and increased
grassy weed problems. Today, there are more than 31 manufacturers offering
at least 47 models of conservation tillage drills. Because of STEEP and
related research which demonstrates the importance of deep fertilizer
placement and seed-fertilizer geometry for root access, more than 65 percent
of these drills have options of deep fertilizer banding. There is little
doubt that drill manufacturers are responding to new research technology
and grower demands.
Drill Attachments
For growers who would rather modify their conventional drills
for conservation tillage, there has also been a major increase in drill
attachments to improve planting success and yield potential. A preliminary
search indicates that at least 11 manufacturers offer drill attachments
such as: coulters, coulter-knives, modified seed and fertilizer openers,
residue removers and other attachments to improve drill performance under
conservation tillage. Some attachments have been developed directly from
STEEP research prototypes.
Combine Attachments
A third area of equipment development is an increase in availability
of combine residue spreading attachments. STEEP research has demonstrated
the severe impact that high concentrations of residue in combine straw
and chaff rows can have on yield potential of the following crop under
minimum tillage or no-till systems. Increased disease potential, nutrient
immobilization, increased weed competition and reduced herbicide effectiveness,
drill plugging, poor seed-soil contact, and slow growth from cool, wet
soil conditions are a few of the potential problems associated with combine
straw and chaff rows.
STEEP research has demonstrated combine residue spreading attachments
or modifications can provide uniform residue distribution. Industry is
again responding to this new technology. A tentative count shows that
there are at least five manufacturers of residue spreading attachments
with units to fit most models of combines. The word is out that successful
conservation tillage begins with uniform combine residue distribution.
- Preliminary
Directory -
Commercial Conservation Tillage Drills, Drill Attachments and Combine
Residue Spreading Attachments for the Pacific Northwest
Table 1. Commercial conservation tillage drills.
Use of Trade Names
To simplify the information, trade names have been used. Neither endorsement
of named products is intended nor criticism implied of similar products
not mentioned.
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