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Aberdeen MS | I don't have any air bag units, they are all springs. I had 4 springs hooked on each unit except one which I had 2. My intent was to show the difference if one could be found.
In regards to perfect fall strips, I agree, you DON'T want perfect planting strips at this time of the year. But that is a down fall for a fall field day demonstration. Perspective "converts" want to see what the strip will look like for planting, not what you want it to look like to weather well. Showing that is for the ones already getting into the process and are wanting to "fine tune" what they are already doing.
There were several there that don't strip till. They were extremely interested in "What just exactly is my planter going to plant into". In the lead off picture that Paul posted, that was the exact question asked of me by the gentleman kneeling along side of me. I was able to show him 3 different rows, made by all 3 units, that were "to die for" strips for planting. But within a couple rows to each side, I can guarantee that a rep from any of the companies there would be looking for a place to hide. I got "realistic" conditions that I was hoping that I'd be able to show. I could have picked a different part of that field that was higher ground, lighter ground that all 3 would have shined, but that isn't representative ground for "this area".
I did not have Friday to be an advertisement of any brand of strip till. I wanted it to be to see the good the bad and the ugly with both concepts of strip tilling represented. The coulter units and the knife/shank units. What are the benefits of both and what are the downfalls of both. Instead of just standing in front of a bunch of farmers and telling them, I wanted them to actually see it. Have the ability to talk with the actual owners that depend on that unit for their success for the following year. I didn't want any time constraints to "stay on schedule", no one went out to my side by side N, and 2 took a peek at the strip cropping, one was my seed dealers DSM. That was fine with me. The people there set the time frame agenda. Field demo and pit took up the day.
In addition to that, 3 different methods of "guidance" were also represented. My manual, an SF2, and EZ Steer with WAAS. I started off the edge of the field with my marker setup, the NH/Hinniker using the EZ Steer made a back and forth trip off my marker to get an AB line, and laid out 60 and 20 foot strips alternating so the 12 row Redball and I could come back and yet leave the field so I can use those strips next year. In a "normal" field day with company reps, each company gets a block to run a short distance and what the grower does for next year is his problem. I now have another experiment set up for next year. Leave some strips, dress up some strips next spring.
So back to your original statement of the type of strip one wants. I have some made from Friday that next spring will be a disaster, and some that will be perfect and everything inbetween. But as the host, that is one of the costs I was willing to bear for a few rows to aide and assistance to answer questions that the growers came with. Not make it a "score card" day for A, B, C brands of equipment, but to show the good the bad and ugly for STRIP TILL. Promote questions and ask questions, as long as everyone there "learned" at least one thing, the day was a complete success for me.
I'll see you tomorrow night sometime. | |
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Thanks Gerywolf & all
