HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-03-16, Page 68Papa CA -Farm Progress '94
Pembry uses broadcasting system for seeding clover
by Mike Pembry
Under -seeding of cereals is now a
very common practice and there are
a variety of ways it can be done.
I've tried a number of ways and I'd
like to share my experiences. Per-
haps others will have suggestions
that might allow me to improve
what I'm doing.
Broadcasting is the approach I've
used most for getting red clover on
my winter cereals. The 3 -point -
hitch broadcaster has done a good
job for me under the right con-
ditions. I prefer to choose a day
when the ground's still frozen and
there's a nice covering of snow. I
like the frozen ground to avoid
compaction and I like the snow
because I can easily spot the seeds
on the snow and see if I'm getting
a good pattern and the right density.
The spreader can throw the heavy
clover seed quite a distance, but I
still like to run over the field in
both directions to get a more even
coverage. Setting the opening on
the spreader is difficult because the
seed will dribble through the
slightest opening. I usually shut it
down completely and still get
enough coming out of the crack
that's left.
If the frost comes out of the
ground before I can get out there -
this happens when there is a very
early and heavy snow cover that
lasts through the winter then I
switch to the hand cyclone seeder.
This obviously takes more time and
energy. I keep my line of travel
straight by leaving a white feed bag
at each end of the field - pacing out
the spot where my return trip
should be •made, and hanging the
bag in the hedge as a target for my
return trip.
A couple of years ago I used the
hand seeder to add some grass seed
to a field where the red clover was
in it's second year. It was quite
muddy and the chance of a good
freeze seemed remote. Plodding up
and down that 10 -acre field in rows
about 10 feet apart was quite an
effort and only by whistling a good
marching song did I manage to
maintain the right pace.
I have not had the same success
with surface seeding grass as I have
with clover. I'm always amazed
how quickly clover, spread on
snow, germinates and establishes
itself. Grass seed, being lighter
doesn't always settle down on the
soil as well and is more subject to
being washed away by spring rains.
For those who like excitement
and who don't have a three -point -
hitch spreader, sitting on the back
of a pickup truck and operating a
hand seeder is a method I have
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used. I've also done it from the
front-end loader of a tractor using
seat belts to fasten me securely in
place. this is not a recommended
practice because of the danger
factor -- not to mention the pos-
sibility of some good-sized bruises
on the posterior.
Later Seeding: There have been
times when I either missed the right
time for frost seeding or wanted
less growth of clover early in the
season. In a wet year, with short
varieties of winter grain, the clover
may grow up and hamper com-
bining and also make the crop
slower to dry. Under these con-
ditions I have broadcast the red
clover just before harrowing the
fields. This harrowing of winter
grains sometimes helps with weed
control and gives the clover a good
start. One has to be careful not to
bury the clover seed too deep using
this method.
I look forward to reading ex-
periences from other members in
seeding their crops. There's 110 way
you can get a good crop if you
don't get a good catch from your
seeding. (From The Ecological
Farmers of Ontario Association
Newsletter.)
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This spring
livestock
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It is the Bureau of Veterinary
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livestock.
"In general, the bureau ensures
that the drug will not leave poten-
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does what the manufacturer claims
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"Our scientists assess the details
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In addition, staff from the Field
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821-4943