Direct Drill Demo Day 2023 summary: results and lessons learned

Autumn has arrived, and with it, the time to take stock of last year's Direct Drill Demo Day. It was a valuable experience both for us and for all the participants, who were able to take a closer look at direct sowing technology and see how the different seeders work in real life.

The direct sowing demo field was harvested on 25 July, before the August rains. The timing was spot on, as the weather became significantly wetter shortly afterward, which would have made harvesting much more difficult. The average yield from the field was 9 t/ha dry matter, which is an excellent result, especially considering that weather conditions were not always favorable throughout the growing season.

Exactly 0.44 ha was harvested from each plot to evaluate each machine individually. The yield of each plot was weighed, and yields were calculated accordingly. In addition, we also recorded yield maps with the combine to give an even more accurate picture of how the different seeders performed.

On the one hand, we got precise numerical results, but on the other hand, it also gave us an insight into which type of seeders worked best in different soil conditions. This provides valuable information for both machine selection and optimal use in the future.

The impact of tramlines on the reliability of results should always be considered. Even though we tried to sow and harvest as evenly and accurately as possible, we could only partially avoid areas with tramlines. Tramlines always affect yield to a certain extent, and thus, some machines were more affected than others. This means the results may be less accurate in some cases, but overall, we were satisfied with the data we gathered.

Soil type variation played an essential role in determining the yield. Yields were lower in clay areas, where potential soil compaction was unfavorable for plant growth. Yields were better in areas with lighter soil types, especially those in the lower-lying areas, which were more even in moisture distribution throughout the growing period. The efficiency of different drills also varied according to soil characteristics. For example, in some cases, the seeded strip was not closed properly in clay areas, which caused problems in ensuring seed-to-soil contact. Consequently, the seed strip dried out more quickly, and germination may have been poorer.

However, wetter areas produced higher yields, suggesting that moisture distribution plays a significant role in drier periods. Areas with better moisture retention kept plants more vigorous, and yields were correspondingly higher.

Analysis of the yield maps showed how different drills performed under various conditions, giving us valuable information about soil conditions and seeder-type suitability. Although slight variations were observed, all drills did their job well, and there were no major surprises. The consistently good results suggest that, while the technology has nuances, the most crucial thing for direct sowing is the right choice of seeder and matching it to local conditions.

In conclusion, the Direct Drill Demo Day and its results confirmed the effectiveness of direct drilling. Although technical details, such as properly closing the seed row and establishing good seed-to-soil contact, played a role, the overall yield was uniform and good. Testing the machines gave a clear insight into how they perform in different soil conditions and provided valuable information for even better results in the future.

Direct seeding is a technology that continues to grow in popularity, and our demo day was a testament to its success. Next year's goal is to optimize the use of direct seeding further to get the most out of every hectare.