WHY WE HAVE GONE ULD

      A recent post referenced to why our operation has gone ULD (ultra-low disturbance) direct seed system.  I didn't elaborate on this because, although the two mentioned subjects of that post connected in my mind, the Richard Mulvaney article was my main interest.  On reflection I've decided that our reasons for going ULD should be posted.

      On our quest to improve our soil we have encountered many obstacles, mistakes, disappointments, questions on how to proceed, and yet, having enough success to continue the quest.
      Soil EROSION, and removing fallow from our rotation was the initial driving force.  Any operation that reduces soil disturbance compared to what we are doing with conventional tillage will have a positive impact on the soil.  Direct seeding is a big jump in reducing soil disturbance.  Past history of direct seeding shows that the soil surface is left, more or less in a state of nakedness, and channeled.  Nakedness is correctable; however, I can't envision how you can 'drill' a crop and not channel, whether it be double disc, hoe, or a single disc, including the CrossSlot drill.  In the Palouse channeling can be a serious erosion issue if not considered when drilling the field.
      As we progressed, saving MOISTURE became the driving force.  Although we still have some erosion at times it was mostly contained, --at least visually.  As time passed and information gathered it became clear that we needed good soil structure, more soil organic matter, and more cover on the surface, to maximize the retention of moisture.  WSU-OSU research back in the 70-80's indicated moisture was used in four ways, -----1% to deep percolation, 4% to runoff, 12% to plant transpiration, 83% lost through evaporation off the soil surface.  Research is clear that a soil profile with a cool surface temperature and a calm surface, retains more moisture compared to a hot surface with air moving across it.  The more we reduce soil disturbance, the more residue we keep on the surface, and the calmer we can keep the air at the surface the better our soil moisture will be.  Taking these parameters to the maximum create a serious challenge for drill design.
      In 2012 we moved to ULD by buying a stripper header and hiring our seeding done by a CrossSlot drill.  Now, our ULD direct seed system consists of a Shelbourne stripper header, GVM 90' suspended boom self propelled sprayer and the CrossSlot drill.
Shelbourne stripper head: --maximizes vertical intercept of snow and wind.  The taller the stubble the more snow catch (very effective in the winter of 2016-7), and the taller the stubble the calmer the air at the soil surface.  (measurements are showing that to be very effective also.  The only down side is that we can't harvest every crop type with this header.)
GVM 90' suspended boom self propelled sprayer: --it's value is in reducing tracking in the field.  It's very evident that tracks of any type promote weed emergence compared to the untracked portions in a field.  We regularly see this in our fallow fields.
CrossSlot drill: --the machine that makes ULD possible.  The header and sprayer are the supporting cast.  When we were evaluating drill technologies, and our operation, trying to match a drill to the specifications and limitations that we faced, the CrossSlot opener was the obvious choice.  The CrossSlot has the ability through its depth and pressure related sensing capability to place seed in good earth at the assigned depth while passing through complex soil types and textures, residue types and amounts whether standing or laying down, without stopping for adjustments.  It's a remarkable technology, and we have learned not to move unless it is all working.  Until the residue became too heavy to manage, our other hoe or double disc drills, could start a good fall crop; however, we never had a very good producing spring crop because of voids left by hair pinning or clumps of residue that shed off the drill, or seed not being placed at the proper depth.
      We are now set up to do ULD, and with the CrossSlot we are ready for the next stage which is building soil health.  (which is becoming a whole new story)