The Agronomic & Financial Benefits of One-Pass Seeding with the Bourgault Mid Row Bander Seeding System

Transcription

1 The Agronomic & Financial Benefits of One-Pass Seeding with the Bourgault Mid Row Bander Seeding System

2 The Agronomic & Financial Benefits of One-Pass Seeding with the Bourgault Mid Row Bander Seeding System

3 Fertilizer Placement Bourgault MRBs compared to other manufactures and current research studies.

4 Fertilizer Placement

5 Mid Row Banding & Nitrogen Fertilizer Information Source: Journal of Plant Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2003 Net Ammonium (NH4) Supply Rates to the Seed-Row ( g N/10 cm²) After 2 days After 6 days Urea side-band X 35.6 X 48.1 Urea mid-row 0 0 Net Nitrate (NO3) Supply Rates to the Seed-Row ( g N/10 cm²) After 2 days After 6 days Urea side-band Urea mid-row Mid Row Banding was measured to begin supplying nitrate (NO 3 ) to the seed row within 2 days. However, unlike side-banding, mid row banding does not subject the canola to ammonium (NH 4 ) which can be toxic to the plant.

6 Side-banding Placed to side and below seed often entire N needs can be met 1 x 1 separation may be insufficient 2 x 2 would generally be safe high disturbance may dry and disrupt seedbed Safer than seed-placed Source AAFC (Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada)

7 Nitrogen Damage in Canola Seedling Damage from Excessive Side-banded N Fertilizer Source AAFC (Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada) Lower rate of N Higher rate of N

8 Side-banding Typical side-bander warning! Warning - This opener system has the potential for creating seed burn due to fertilizer contact with the seed. The manufacturer assumes no responsibility for any crop loss caused by this opener. Quote taken directly from a dual knife system Operator s Manual: Many farmers have successfully seeded all crop types while using anhydrous ammonia, however, the manufacturer takes no responsibility if seeding damage is caused by anhydrous ammonia.

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11 Nitrogen Fertilizer Requirements The crop does not need all the nitrogen fertilizer right away! Plant development up to the 5 leaf stage, typically after 4 weeks, requires that 20 lbs. of nitrogen be available to the canola plant. Nitrogen Uptake by Canola Growth Stage Nitrogen Uptake, lb/ac Typically 4 weeks Source: Potash and Phosphate Institute 5 leaf Bolting Full flower End of flower 50% podded Full pod Harvest Growth Stage

12 Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada On Side-banding Beware of the old paradigm! Seed-fertilizer separation of 1 x 1 may be insufficient for safe one pass seeding. Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada indicates that two inches to the side and two inches below the seed is generally safe for side-banding of nitrogen fertilizer. Side-bander manufacturers themselves warn farmers about the use of their openers. The warnings on side-banding systems are there for good reason. Seed burn is a characteristic of side-banding and the manufacturers are acknowledging this fact with their warnings. However, they are taking advantage of the fact that it is difficult for farmers to recognize that their crop is experiencing seed burn. Bourgault guarantees ideal placement of the seed and fertilizer with adequate separation for anhydrous ammonia, or any other type of nitrogen applied with Mid Row Banders.

13 Mid Row Banding Canola - Indian Head 2001 Source AAFC (Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada) Stand Density (plant/m) side band mid row band N Rate (kg/ha) 15 At 107 lbs/acre (120 kg/ha) of N, with side-banding, canola emergence was reduced by 67%.

14 Side-banding & Flax Documented negative impact of side-banding on flax plant populations at Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Source AAFC (Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada) Stand Density (plant/m) side band mid row band N Rate (kg/ha) % reduction in stand density 234

15 Documented Damage in Canola Canola Yields at Indian Head bu/ac Difference! Seed Yield (bu/acre) side band mid row band 16.9 Source AAFC (Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada) N Rate (lb/ac)

16 Documented Damage in Canola Liquid nitrogen (UAN) was applied on a 8 spacing with a dual knife, side-bander system. N at 90 lbs/ac reduced average seedling populations by 39% Source AAFC (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) Percentage Emergence Reduct i on Average 3 year Canol a Seedl i ng Reduct i on Li qui d Ni t r o g en Agri cul ture and Agri - Food Canada Br a ndo n, Mani t oba Si de- Bandi ng Opener Sys t em 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2% 0% 21% 34% 39% 48% Ni t r o g e n i n Lbs / a c

17 Documented Damage in Canola Liquid nitrogen (UAN) was applied on a 8 spacing with a dual knife, side-bander system. N at 45 lbs/ac reduced seedling populations by 21% with sidebanding Source AAFC (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) Percentage Emergence Reduct i on Average 3 year Canol a Seedl i ng Reduct i on Li qui d Ni t r o g en Agri cul ture and Agri - Food Canada Br a ndo n, Mani t oba Si de- Bandi ng Opener Sys t em 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2% 0% 21% 34% 39% 48% Ni t r o g e n i n Lbs / a c

18 Side-banding on 12 Spacing Alberta Farm Machinery Research Centre Report RL0498B Research work was conducted to document the effects of side-banding on different row spacings. Tests confirmed that even low rates of nitrogen, in this case 60 lbs. per acre, had a negative effects on yield for all crops. Seed and fertilizer placed with a double shoot, angle disk opener Phosphate, as granular , was placed with the seed at 30 lb/ac Nitrogen, as granular urea, was side-banded at 60 lb/ac

19 Side-banding on 12 Spacing Alberta Farm Machinery Research Centre Report RL0498B Blackie Canola Plant Density at Various Row Spacings with Side-banding Lethbridge Canola Plant Density at Various Row Spacings with Side-banding Plants Per Square Meter " spaced 10" spaced Row Spacing 47% reduction between 8 & 12 spaced 12" spaced Plant Density Plants Per Square Meter " spacing 10" spacing 12' spacing 3% increase between 8 & 12 spaced Plant Density Row Spacing Edmonton Canola Plant Density at Various Row Spacings with Side-banding Source: Alberta Farm Machinery Research Centre Plants Per Square Meter " spaced 10" spaced 12" spaced 44% decrease between 8 & 12 spaced Plant Density * 60 lb/ac of N * 30 lb/ac of P Row Spacing

20 Side-banding on 12 Spacing Alberta Farm Machinery Research Centre Report RL0498B 12 Row Spacing Canola Yields in Side-Banding Test at Lethbridge, Blackie and Edmonton * 60 lb/ac of N * 30 lb/ac of P 30 bus/ac Source: Alberta Farm Machinery Research Centre Canola yields 55% higher on 8 spacing!

21 Side-banding on 12 Spacing Alberta Farm Machinery Research Centre Report RL0498B Plants Per Square Meter Edmonton Wheat Emergence at Various Row Spacings with Side- Banding 20% decrease 160 between 8 & spaced " spaced 10" spaced Row Spacing 12" spaced Plant Density Plants Per Square Meter Blackie Wheat Emergence at Various Row Spacings with Side-Banding 33% decrease 250 between 8 & spaced " spaced 10" spaced Row Spacing 12" spaced Plant Density Source: Alberta Farm Machinery Research Centre Plants Per Square Meter Provost Wheat Emergence at Various Row Spacings with Side-Banding 8" spaced 10" spaced Row Spacing 12" spaced 3% decrease between 8 & 12 spaced Plant Density Plants Per Square Meter Lethbridge Wheat Emergence at Various Row Spacings with Side-banding " spaced 10" spaced Row Spacing 12" spaced 18% decrease between 8 & 12 spaced Plant Density * 60 lb/ac of N * 30 lb/ac of P

22 Side-banding on 12 Spacing Alberta Farm Machinery Research Centre data: RL0498B - November Row Spacing Wheat Yield Tests at Lethbridge, Blackie, Edmonton and Provost Wheat - Yields Up to 50% greater on 10 spacing than 12! Fertilizer Rates 60 lb/ac of N 30 lb/ac of P 29 bus.

23 Side-banding on 12 Spacing Alberta Farm Machinery Research Centre Report RL0498B An increase in row spacing resulted in decrease in yield and plant density.

24 Side-banding on 12 Spacing 12 Row Spacing vs 8 Row Spacing Fertilizer was placed between a split row (or paired row) one inch below and one inch to the side of the seed. Type of Opener System Used Semi-Arid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, AAFC - Swift Current Research Newsletter #34 - Dec. 6, 1996 Yields of chickpea, semi-leafless field pea, and normalleafed field pea were not effected by row spacing for either stubble of fallow land. (Note: Nitrogen not applied) For Spring wheat, durum, flax, lentil and mustard seeded directly into standing stubble, the yields in both years averaged 12% less for the 12 inch spacing as compared to the 8 spacing. Where no nitrogen was used, crops performed as well on 12 spacing as they did on 8 spacing.

25 Side-banding on 12 Spacing 12 Row Spacing vs 8 Row Spacing Research Newsletter #34 - Dec. 6, 1996 The testing confirmed that when using a side-banding system, the crop damage became worse when row spacing increased from 8 to 12.

26 Broadcast (N) Fertilizer on 4, 8, 12

27 Broadcast (N) Fertilizer on 4, 8, 12 Indian Head Experimental Farm Four year study on row spacing, seeding rates and fertilizer rates 4, 8, 12 Row Spacing SPRING WHEAT Nitrogen fertilizer broadcast prior to seeding Source AAFC (Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada) BU/ACRE " 8" 12"

28 Dual Knife Side-Banding Systems Dual Knife System - Seager Wheeler Farm June 1, 2005

29 Dual Knife System - Seager Wheeler Farm June 1, 2005

30 Dual Knife Side-Banding Systems North of Nokomis, SK

31 Dual Knife Side-Banding Systems West of Stoughton, SK

32 Dual Knife Side-Banding Systems West of Stoughton, SK

33 Dual Knife Side-Banding Systems Dual knife system windrowing while seeding wheat into canola stubble - Spring 2005 Adjacent row covered by 5 of soil Note: Operator stated that he intended to harrow field to even out soil cover over the seed.

34 Dual Knife Side-Banding Systems North of Nokomis, SK

35 Side-banding & Seedbed Integrity In a dry spring, seedbed dry-out and nitrogen burn can combine to negatively impact the crop. Canola Field near Prince Albert, SK

36 Side-banding & Seedbed Integrity Austin, Manitoba May 27, 2005

37 Bourgault MRBs & Seedbed Integrity Bourgault MRB System - Seager Wheeler Farm June 1, 2005

38 Bourgault MRBs & Seedbed Integrity Bourgault MRB System - Seager Wheeler Farm June 1, 2005 Note: The packer wheel furrow produced by the 5710 AHD was 50% smaller than the furrow produced by the dual knife system.

39 Bourgault MRBs & Seedbed Integrity Narrow Opener - Seed to Soil Contact

40 Bourgault MRBs & Seedbed Integrity Road way Precision placement in the most demanding of conditions!

41 Bourgault MRBs compared to side-banding Mild to moderate nitrogen toxicity is hard to detect. As a result, in practice, it is difficult for farmers to recognize when nitrogen damage is occurring. The canola emergence on the right, planted with a dual knife side-banding system, looks quite good, and a farmer would not suspect any emergence issues. But when it s compared to a crop seeded with a Bourgault MRB seeded system, you can tell that the side-banded crop is suffering from nitrogen toxicity and that plant vigor has been adversely affected. Side-By-Side Testing Near Churchbridge, SK. Spring 2005 Both sides of this field were seeded on the same day with the same seed and same rates of fertilizer.

42 Bourgault MRBs compared to side-banding Mid row banded Dual knife side-banded Standing stubble anchoring the soil. The MRB side of the field has preserved the standing stubble from the previous year, helping to anchor the soil and shield the emerging canola. Side-By-Side Testing Near Churchbridge, SK. Spring 2005

43 Bourgault MRBs compared to side-banding The Belle Plaine Colony of Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan, is highly regarded as being a leader in cropping practices. Mr. Sam B. Tschetter is always searching for better farming techniques for his Colony. In the spring of 2005, Mr. Tschetter tested a dual knife, side-bander seeding system and compared it to a 5710 with Mid Row Banders. Belle Plaine Colony Belle Plaine, Sask.

44 Bourgault MRBs compared to side-banding Total Acres Banner 4.7 lbs. Seeding date - May 06, 2005 Total fertilizer used lbs./ac. Applied by fertilizer knife lbs./ac. Dry fertilizer - 80N, 30P, 15S Belle Plaine Colony Belle Plaine, Sask.

45 Bourgault MRBs compared to side-banding Total Acres Banner 4.7 lbs./ac. Seeding date - May 06, 2005 Total fertilizer used lbs./ac. Fertilizer placed with the seed - 60 lbs./ac. Fertilizer placed with MRBs lbs./ac. Dry Fertilizer - 80N, 30P, 15S Belle Plaine Colony Belle Plaine, Sask.

46 Bourgault MRBs compared to side-banding Samples from MRB side of field. Note the well developed root system that supports excellent plant growth. Belle Plaine Colony Belle Plaine, Sask.

47 Bourgault MRBs compared to side-banding Samples from side-bander side of field. Note the very localized root development that would have trouble supporting a plant in less than ideal conditions. Belle Plaine Colony Belle Plaine, Sask.

48 Bourgault MRBs compared to side-banding The real surprise was at harvest, the yield across the yard scale and the combine monitor was 7 bushels an acre more with the Bourgault. Sam B. Tschetter Belle Plaine Colony Belle Plaine, Sask.

49 Myths About Mid Row Banding Myth # 1 With mid row banding, the nitrogen is placed too far away. This slide illustrates how well nitrogen m An MRB was plugged off Independent research has shown that the seed row starts receiving nitrogen within 2 days. (Journal of Plant Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2003)

50 Myths About Mid Row Banding Myth # 2 Mid Row Banders promote mid row weed growth. Note: Slide published by the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association (SSCA), an independent body promoting soil conservation and sustainable agriculture. In this experiment, two seed runs were plugged off to verify that weeds germinate first where the packer wheels travel and not where the mid row coulters travel. By the time mid row weeds do germinate, the crop is well ahead. Weed growth Weed & seed growth

51 Myths About Mid Row Banding Myth # 3 Mid Row Banders cost a lot to operate. Costs range from 10 to 20 cents per acre for coulter disks, carbide scrapers and outside closer tines depending on soil grit and stone content. For gritty or stony land, the costs are on the higher end whereas, clay, grit free soil the costs are on the lower end of the range.

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53 Summary It has now been proven that only Mid Row Banders can ideally position the nitrogen to avoid seed burn, yet allow the plant access to the nutrient in concentrations that are tolerable by the plant. A seeding implement equipped with Mid Row Banders gives the farmer the very best opportunity to maximize crop yield and crop quality each and every year. Over the long run, farmers using Mid Row Banders will have a huge edge over farmers using side-banding.

54 Conclusion If we had not become aware of the major downside risks with side-banders, we too would be recommending them for all of our air hoe drills. In most years, there is enough rainfall shortly after seeding to reduce the affects of seed burn with side-banders. Also, in many years, crops can recover from seed burn caused by side-banding and mature before the fall frost. However, in some years, the stand reduction and maturity delays caused by seed burn can cause major financial losses and even total crop failure. Mid Row Banders maintain seedbed integrity and provide farmers with ideal nitrogen positioning in a no risk system for one pass seeding and fertilizing. Gerry Bourgault President