January 13, 2010

Deep-furrow drill design process

continues Thursday in Ritzville

The second deep-furrow drill design meeting is set for Thursday, Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Washington Wheat Foundation building, 109 East First Avenue in Ritzville.

The purpose of the meeting is to determine basic features of some deep-furrow drill prototypes that the group ultimately wants to fabricate and test.

The meeting will focus on prototype designs. During the session, participants will divide into focus groups based on several opener types and other features to allow refinement of ideas and concepts.

There is no cost to attend the meeting and everyone is invited to attend.

The process will address the following criteria. Deep-furrow drill prototypes must:

• Easily pass through and retain 30 percent or more surface residue after seeding.

• Place seed as deep and as accurate and with as good or better stands compared to existing John Deere HZ and International 150 drills.

• Work successfully in the toughest of seeding conditions (for example, deep tillage mulches such as in the Horse Heaven Hills).

Ray Ledgerwood, a professional facilitator and member of the Washington Conservation Commission, will facilitate the group discussions.

By the end of the meeting, organizers hope to have established some potential prototypes that can meet the necessary criteria.

For more information, contact Cindy Warriner at 659-3215 or warriner@wsu.edu.