November 6, 2003

 

Direct Seeding Seminar Set for Dickinson

A direct seeding seminar is scheduled for Nov. 24 at the Dickinson State University Agriculture Building Auditorium. The program will feature John Baker of Feilding, New Zealand, who is recognized internationally for his work on no-tillage machinery and its interactions with soil.

The seminar will begin at 2 p.m. MT at the Dickinson State University Agriculture Building Auditorium located at 470 State Avenue in Dickinson. The program will conclude at 5:30. In case of inclement weather, a demonstration of the Cross-Slot opener will be held in the DSU indoor arena.

During his presentation beginning at 2:15 p.m., Baker will examine high- and low-disturbance direct seeding practices on dryland soils and the practical application of the science behind no-till.

He recently said, "Often machine-soil interactions have been approached either from a soil perspective, which assumes that engineers will heed what the soil scientists say and then design new devices to pamper their soil, or from an engineering perspective, which assumes the soil will just have to put up with what the engineers want it to do. In reality, seeding should be approached from an agronomic perspective. That is, to find out what the weather and pests will demand of plants; then what the plants will demand of the soil; then what the soil will demand of the machines; and then how the machines can be designed to strengthen all of the links in the chain, from the weather down to the seeds." Dr. Baker will show and demonstrate his invention for no-till seeding during the program.

In addition to Baker, Vernon Hofman, North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer, will discuss current seeding and fertilizing practices utilized in direct seeding systems in North Dakota. His presentation will begin at 3:05 p.m.

The late-afternoon session will feature a panel discussion, "Direct Seeding As We See It." Leading off this discussion will be Alan Ness, Natural Resource and Conservation Service state agronomist from Bismarck. Ness will give a brief presentation on Federal farm programs, which directly affect producers using no-till seeding systems.

Two producers, Darwyn Mayer, Mott, and Rick Bieber, Trail City, S.D., will provide thoughts on goals for practicing no-till as well as the impacts and economics of no-till on soils and their farming operations. Hofman and Baker will then join the panel discussion and take questions from the audience. This should prove to be a wonderful format to encourage lively discussion on direct seeding between speakers and seminar participants.

For further information about the program contact Roger Ashley, NDSU Extension Service area agronomist at (701) 483-2349, Bonnie Twogood, Western and Central Stark Conservation District, (701) 225-3811 or your NDSU Extension Service agent.

An application has been made to provide continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisors. The application is for 2 soil and water credits and .5 crop management credits.

###

Source: Roger O. Ashley, (701) 483-2349, rashly@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu