Seed Hawk TOOLBAR 2010 - Manual (Page 40)

Seed Hawk Manual Tool Bar Page 37
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.