July 2007 Research Update
The Prairie Agriculture Machinery Institute (PAMI) has released more data from a 3-year study of Seeding/Fertilizer Systems with a special focus on Emergence and Yield Comparison of Mid Row and Side Banding. 
http://www.pami.ca/pdfs/reports_reasearch_updates/768%20_comparison_of_mid_row_side_banding.pdf

Project Highlights:
- Paired trials were direct seeded into standing stubble using PAMI's 10 ft. plot drill (airseeder) with 10-inch row spacing.
- 216 comparisons included three fertilizer rates in 3 crop types (wheat, canola, flax) at 4 locations (Saskatchewan).
- Significant differences in plant emergence occured 20% of the time, more frequently when soil conditions were dry, and more often in favor of mid-row (80%) than for side-band (20%).
- There were no obvious differences in crop maturity observed between the two systems.
- Significant differences in crop yield occured 13% of the time, however there was no consistent trend to convert plant emergence into yield, nor between the two systems (Midrow - 50% / Sideband - 50%)
 - Typically, when the minimum threshold emergence level was achieved, then no significant yield differences occured despite observed differences in plant emergence (plants/sq. meter).