Langbank, Saskatchewan, Canada
June 19, 2013
On May 9, 2012, a group of farmers in South Australia gathered at Tim Paschke’s farm to witness a controlled large-scale seeding demonstration.
Designed to test both disc and tyne seeders, the Landline trial sought to determine how to optimize yield in dry conditions. Nine farmer-operated seeding implements planted side-by-side strips to compare the seeders’ performance in Australia’s arid Mallee region, whose average rainfall is approximately 10 inches a year.
Among the seeders in the demonstration was a Seed Hawk air drill with Twin Wing openers and
13-inch row spacing. There were three other knife point (tyne) seeders and five disc seeders
in the comparison. All of the units used the same seed and fertilizer rates and covered varied
terrain including flat, midslope and sandhill areas.
Throughout the growing season, the knife point seeders showed distinct benefits over the disc
seeders. Prior to seeding, the field had been treated with trifluralin to control bromegrass. Early
into the trial, trifluralin damage and bromegrass were both evident in the disc-seeded strips. In
November when the crop was harvested, the disc seeders also showed lower yield.
As this region of South Australia usually sees an annual rainfall of approximately 10 inches, it is
similar to what many growers see on the prairies. Seed Hawk’s seed and fertilizer knives gave the
seed access to moisture and fertilizer when they needed it, resulting in early, even emergence
and a vigorous, high-yielding crop.
According to Paul Birbeck, Product Specialist – Tillage and Seeding with Landpower Australia,
the Seed Hawk plot was marked by early emergence and plant development in addition to
noticeably better weed control. Seed Hawk also outperformed the other machines in terms of
yielding 126% of the trial average. In fact, the Seed Hawk plot produced 26.3 bushels more per
acre than the average of all seeders.
To view a video news feed from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation covering the trial click
Since 1992, Seed Hawk has been building precision seeding systems to better equip farmers and improve agricultural practices. Seed Hawk manufactures state-of-the-art, zero-tillage seeding systems that are sold in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and Eastern and Western Europe.
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