UNITED STATES
HANGAR CONVERSATIONS
Dr. Diego Martin Oliva diegomartinoliva@gmail.com Agrônomo
Planting Cover Crops Chart 1 (200 foot wheat) Swathmasters
1 Tray every 4 m
The results of collection trays for wheat applied at 88 kg/ha (78 lbs/ ac). The center reflects a heavier rate, while the outside edges are lighter in applied rate.
B 30 | agairupdate.com
The season for the implantation of cover crops by air begins this fall for those operations north of the Equator. The use of the aircraft is essential for the success of cover crop planting and contributing to the sustainability of ag-aviation companies. Aerial seeding is a strategic tool that must be strongly promoted due to its efficiency and operational capacity. Now, is all aerial seeding the same? Are the results always stable and predictable? Are the seed sizes and density always the same? For these and other queries, a group of companies that I advise in Argentina decided to take action on the matter. We set forth to find some answers. The first problem we encountered was the need to standardize the evaluation of the results. After several discussions, we decided the best way was to make applications at different heights, (50-70-100-200 feet ) and always with a wind vector 0-180 °. This would be the most appropriate method to define, develop and evaluate a
coefficient of variation (CV - standard deviation / series average) on a percentage scale. At the same time, we had to take into account different solid dispersion systems (small gate box, large gate box or the high acceleration solid systems units like a Swathmaster). We needed to consider the characteristics of the solids; hectoliter weight (weight by volume), seed consistency and cleanliness, etc. We had a huge technical challenge ahead of us, since the number of variables were adding up and not much time to accomplish our mission. So for now, we examined one or two of the variables at stake to define an accurate application. With the first series of tests, we analyzed the distribution of a seed with good hectoliter weight, such as wheat. The seeds were applied on an analysis site 30 meters wide (98.4 feet) with a tailwind vector between 0-180°. The aircraft was an AT-502 fitted with a Swathmaster spreader, applied at 200 feet high. ➤
