by Bob Schultheis Natural Resource Engineering Specialist for Building It from the Ground Up Program Lebanon, MO February 26, 2015

Transcription

1 by Bob Schultheis Natural Resource Engineering Specialist for Building It from the Ground Up Program Lebanon, MO February 26, 2015

2 A nickel in thickness = 15 T/A A dime in thickness = 10 T/A A business card in thickness = 2.2 T/A It takes 100 years to build an inch of topsoil 2

3 Able to keep existing sod Conserves moisture Sod competes against weeds Greater success than broadcasting Less cost & erosion than conventional tillage Don t plant too deep 3

4 PLAN AHE 4

5 Start with high soil fertility level Soil test & correct nutrient deficiencies well in advance of seeding Choose well-drained fields, esp. if planting early Start with non-compacted soils Remove plant competition Control weeds; watch out for herbicide residual Use a properly-calibrated sprayer Don t plant until soil crumbles in your hand Prepare a smooth, firm seedbed Let surface trash dry out before planting so coulters cut it 5

6 Use certified seed of recommended varieties Increase seeding rate by 10% unless conditions are ideal Add weights to drill as needed to make seed openers work properly Don t plant faster than 3½ MPH in sod, moist soils or rough conditions Plant forage seeds ¼ to ½ deep Should see 1/3 of seed on top of ground when done Use press wheels that close the seed trench May need to roll bare ground after seeding to get good soil-seed contact Be prepared to use post-emergence herbicides Grasses must be well-tillered & established 6

7 Photo credit:

8 Applying the correct amount of material to the specified area Read the label for application rate Follow calibration instructions for equipment 8

9 Over-Application Extra chemical expense Crop damage Environmental risks Under-Application Expense of second application Weed competition - loss of yield Loss of property use or stored crop 9

10 Nozzles mismatched, plugged, badly worn, or improperly cleaned Screens discarded Pressure gauges broken or inaccurate Tank volume unknown; inaccurate markings Poor timing of pesticide application to plants Wrong ph of spray mix water Outdoor temperature too low Herbicide drift 10

11 NEW SPRAY TIPS Produce a uniform distribution when properly overlapped WORN SPRAY TIPS Have a higher output with more spray concentrated under each tip DAMAGED SPRAY TIPS Have a very erratic output overapplying and underapplying 11

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13 Travel speed of sprayer 10-20% wheel slippage = 10-20% overapplication Effective spray width of nozzle Nozzle flow rate 10 gal./acre at 25 psi 20 gal./acre 100 psi 13

14 Set to recommended settings Calculate application rate* Use GPA nozzles for good coverage Fill spray tank half-full of water Time measured distance both directions at speed** Catch output in ounces for noted time Nozzle output in ounces = gal. /acre actually applied Adjust Travel speed Nozzles Pressure (fine-tuning) 14

15 a. GPM = GPA x MPH x W 5940 b. GPM = 15 GPA x 6 MPH x 20" 5940 = 0.30 GPM per nozzle Select: - TeeJet XR8003VK (50 mesh), 40 psi 15

16 Nozzle spacing (inches) Course length (feet)

17 Spray Angle (degrees) Boom Height (inches) above Target for 20" Spacing

18 Flat-Fan Nozzles Flood Nozzles 18

19 Set to recommended settings Calculate application rate Use GPA nozzles for good coverage Fill spray tank half-full of water Time measured distance both directions at speed Catch output in pints for noted time Nozzle output in pints = gal. /acre actually applied Adjust Travel speed Nozzles Pressure (fine-tuning) 19

20 Swath width (feet) Distance (feet)

21 1. Spray at low wind velocities (< 10 MPH) 2. Reduce spraying pressures 3. Increase carrier volumes (20 GPA vs ) 4. Select proper nozzles with coarse spray droplets 5. Use lower spray boom heights (110 vs. 80 or 73 ) 6. Reduce ground speed (< 10 MPH = less boom bounce) 7. Spray when wind blows away from sensitive crops, homes 8. Use drift retardants (some nozzles not compatible) 9. Consider foot buffer zones of distance or cover crops 10. Invest in high-tech sprayers with pulsing system 21

22 Wear proper safety equipment Read the label for directions on dilution and use Check manufacturer's catalogs for calibration tables Do a test application Aim for ± 5% application error Use measuring spoon, cup, jug, scale or flow meter for accuracy Re-check calibration often 22

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24 Provides at least 400 lbs. of pressure per opener 18 coulters work better than 14 or 24 Double-disk seed openers Seeding depth controlled by depth bands, or parallel linkages & press wheels Press wheels track behind seed openers Seed metering & distribution Externally-fluted feed wheels for small hard seeds Internally-fluted feed wheels for large fragile seeds Fertilizer banding in/beside/below the seed row Tractor sized for 5-7 PTO HP per foot of drill width Large, low-pressure tires to reduce soil compaction 24

25 0 ¼ ½ 1 1 1/2 2 Alfalfa Yellow sw. clover White sw. clover Red clover Alsike clover Crimson clover Korean lespedeza Orchardgrass Timothy Source: Journal of American Society of Agronomy 35:

26 Need a firm seedbed for good soil-seed contact ¼ deep shoe impression 26

27 Soil and Water Conservation District (USDA Service Center) Laclede County: ext. 101 Reserve well in advance of need Deposit of $50-$100, depending on county Rents for $7-$10 per acre; may have acreage minimum Road travel: 3/4 ton truck with a 2" receiver hitch required Proof of current vehicle insurance Field use: Requires at least HP tractor to pull it Treat it with respect; fix or pay for what you break 27

28 Check hydraulic hoses for leaks using cardboard Wear heavy gloves when servicing disk blades Towing vehicle must outweigh the drill Manual says do not tow drill faster than 20 MPH Connect hitch safety chains for towing SMV sign should be clearly visible on rear 28

29 Overall width = 123 Seeding width = 126 (10 6 ) Height = 73 Weight = 3850 lbs. Tire size - front = 9.5 x 14 implement, 44 psi Tire size - rear = 7.6 x 14 implement, 32 psi Tire size - drive = 4.8 x 12 4-ply, 34 psi 29

30 Conventional, minimum-till or no-till Plants all types of seeds 2 seed hoppers, optional legume box Individual metering Rear seed hopper holds 14 bu. seed or 1100 lbs. fertilizer Rear seed hopper with stirrers can seed WSG Seeding options 3 seed types at same time, or 2 seed types + fertilizer 30

31 18 openers; 7 row spacing 14 double-disk opener Coulter leads offset disk by 1½ Parallel bar linkage Adjustable press wheels = 2 x 15.5 Spring down-pressure adjusts from lbs. 31

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34 Acre Meter 34

35 Adjust hydraulic cylinder stroke so. Disk openers penetrate soil 2 Parallel bars are level when viewed from side 35

36 Press wheel depth adjustment washers Adjustable nut Pressure spring Parallel bars Adjust spring length with drill raised IMPORTANT: Adjusting pressure spring to less than 10 will void warranty Conventional-till Softer soils No-till firm soils 36

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41 FEED WHEEL COVER WHEEL SPACE GAUGE (3) INCLUDED 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 41

42 Rear Seed Hopper Front Seed Hopper 42

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45 Drill Cleanout Slides 45

46 Vacuum or blow out seed from hoppers after use Make sure all parts are accounted for when returning to SWCD Grease all zerks & oil chains before storing 46

47 Robert A. (Bob) Schultheis Natural Resource Engineering Specialist Webster County Extension Center 800 S. Marshall St. Marshfield, MO Voice: Fax: Web: extension.missouri.edu/webster Program Complaint Information To file a program complaint you may contact any of the following: University of Missouri MU Extension AA/EEO Office 109 F. Whitten Hall, Columbia, MO MU Human Resources Office 130 Heinkel Bldg, Columbia, MO USDA Office of Civil Rights, Director Room 326-W, Whitten Building 14th and Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC "Equal opportunity is and shall be provided to all participants in Extension programs and activities, and for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or military organizations associated with the armed forces of the United States of America." 47