Seed Hawk TOOLBAR 2011 - Manual (Page 41)

Seed Hawk Manual Tool Bar Page 36
4.10 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.