How do I decide on row spacing (shank spacing) and seed row width?
Eric Oliver Saskatchewan Conservation Agrologist: “the whole issue of row spacing is important only when using narrow openers with low seedbed utilization, such as a knife or disc. The issue is moot if higher seedbed utilizations are achieved using openers like a spreader tip, paired row, spoon, mini-sweep or even a full sweep because the negative impacts associated with row spacing generally occur only when narrow seed rows are being used.” Prairie Steward, Issue 33, Summer 2001.
Some questions to ask.
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What soil types do I have: clay, loams, sandy?
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What is the typical amount of stubble and residue I produce in an average year?
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Will my crops canopy over with a given row spacing?
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How do I want to apply fertilizer?
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Do I have the logistics to handle everything at once?
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Will I be swathing or straight cutting?
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Do I have the power to pull the shank width/openers I want to use?
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Remember this is only part of the multitude of decisions that need to be made in developing your direct seeding system.
Deciding on row spacing/shank spacing.
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Amount of residue, swath versus straight cut
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Large amounts of residue – stubble and surface – Wider spacing a good option
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Lower levels of residue – stubble and surface – Narrower more desirable
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Heavier textured soils – wider shank spacing may be desirable but tempered by how much crop you produce.
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Wider row spacing and a narrow opener means less horsepower.
Yield and shank/row spacing.
Saskatchewan – wider row spacings have performed as well or better than narrower in the Black, Grey and Dark Brown.
Swift Current – Brown soils – 8-9 inch spacing is providing an advantage to 12 inch.
Alberta – AgTech study indicating that more SBU was better than less SBU but study is done with mid-row banding.
Changes in row spacing and width do not always correlate directly to crop emergence and yield. Yield and maturity are influenced by weather, soil moisture and fertility. Crops respond to growing conditions by adjusting growth – tillers, branches and maturity.
Early crop canopying is beneficial from a weed competition and moisture saving perspective.
High moisture areas usually mean more vigorous crop growth and faster canopying. Narrow width seed spread and wider shank spacing may be acceptable if the crop canopys.
Lower moisture areas usually mean less vigorous growth and slower canopying. Wider width seed spread and/or narrower shank spacing may be more desirable so that the crop canopys quickly.
Deciding on row width/seed spread of opener.
Single shoot
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Fertilizer becomes an issue.
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Pre-banding, separate fertilizer application, split application, mid-row banding, liquid to the side etc. may be required with narrower seed openers and wider row spacing.
Double shoot
