Seed Hawk 30 SERIES 2015 - Manual (Page 74)

SEED HAWK ® 2015 30 SERIES OPERATOR’S MANUAL – DOMESTIC 69
5.14 Crop Residue Considerations
Seeding into fields with heavy residue is challenging, but residue cover is essen-
tial to the success of a zero-till cropping system. Ideally, the straw height from
the previous year will be less than or equal to the width of the Seed Hawk
®
Drill row spacing.
For optimum results, the combine harvester should chop the straw and spread
the straw and chaff evenly across the entire swath width. The fertilizer and seed
knives will catch and drag small amounts of crop residue while seeding. Some
small clumps of straw may be deposited along the seed row making the finished
seed bed appear rough.
IMPORTANT! Avoid harrowing after seeding with the Seed Hawk Drill.
Harrowing after seeding can drastically alter seed depth. Although tempting to
harrow to smooth out straw clumps, these clumps will smooth out over time
and exposure to the weather.
Increased humidity will reduce the ease with which the straw will flow around
the knives. Increased humidity near the soil surface is more common during
the first few years of zero-till. This is due to lower soil porosity and infiltration
rates. With time, the soil porosity and infiltration rates will rise, and the humidi-
ty will decrease.