Seed Hawk TOOLBAR 2013 45 & XL SERIES - Manual (Page 42)

SEED HAWK® TOOLBAR OPERATOR’S MANUAL 42
4.13 CROP RESIDUE CONSIDERATIONS
Seeding into fields with heavy residue is challenging, but residue cover is essential 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 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 humidity will decrease.