Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop

Prairie Conservation Action PlanRegina SK. February 16, 17 2011

Native Seed Availability &

Equipment Selection – The Technical Side of Seeding

Larry K. Gabruch P.Ag.NCC – Saskatchewan RegionSaskatoon Parklands Office

Native Seed Availability

Variable from year to year in supply, quality and price

– Supply and demand

• Large revegetation programs may strip supply. (eg. CRP program in the US)

– Growing season/harvest conditions

• Poor growing season conditions for grass seed may negatively impact yields and seed quality.

Native Seed Availability

Some species are in short supply year after year. Usually higher priced and higher level of difficulty to grow/harvest/condition

– Eg.’s: Plains Rough Fescue, Needle and Thread Grass, Porcupine Grass,

Usually in good supply however recently hard to find:

– Canada Wild Rye, Little Blue Stem, Green Needlegrass

Seed Sourcing

The early bird gets the worm!

Start sourcing up to a year prior to planting

Start locally and with forage seed suppliers

Consider alternatives ie., specified varieties and/or species might not be available

Seed Sourcing

Single source supply may be a challenge for diverse mixes

Smaller suppliers and collectors of native harvested seed– Especially for wildflower seeds, eco-types,

– Remember that native seed should not be moved more than 300 miles north or 200 miles south of its point of origin. Movement east or west is affected by changes in precipitation and elevation (an increase of 1000 feet in elevation is equal to a move of approximately 175 miles north

Dedicate resources towards the search. Phone calls and e-mails may turn up that elusive seed lot!!

Seed Sourcing

Several seed source and services listings are available

– www.nativeseednetwork.org/indx

– Alberta Native Plant Council:

– www.anpc.ab.ca

– Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan:

– www.npss.sk.ca

– Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) –Plant Materials Program

• Bismarck, ND; Bridger, MT

Manage your risks!....ask seed supplier for a Certificate of Seed Analysis– Settling for poor quality/contaminated seed may

compromise your planting for many years to come. Save future management co$t$ and the heartburn!

– Can’t find high quality, site adapted, suitable seed for your project for planting time?……..adjust mix components/specifications or delay planting .

– 2009 NCC example

Seeding Equipment SelectionSpecialized native grass seed drills provide the most hassle free service when planting diverse, light and fluffy native seed mixes. However, there are other options such as conventional disc drills and air drills. Regardless of the equipment selected, three basic functions require special attention:

1. Seed metering

2. Seed Placement

3. Packing

1. Seed Metering

The seeding equipment must

provide a consistent rate of seed flow.

– Seed mixes with species having sharp pointed awns and or are light and fluffy require agitation to reduce the risk of bridging and plugging

– Use of a carrier such as fertilizer may help improve ‘ballistics’

– When buying seed, ensure the supplier provides seed that is de-bearded/ de-awned and conditioned

Check seed delivery at the ground often. Seed tube plugs occur.

Calibrate and re-calibrate !

•Left: Unprocessed

Canada Wild Rye seed

•Right: De-awned

Canada Wild Rye seed seed

Example: Little Bluestem seed. – Note the awns and

fuzziness of seed.

– Not flow-able if supplied in this condition

– A specialized native grass seed drill might meter this seed in an unconditioned state

Seed Placement

Seeding equipment must be able to operate consistently and place seed at a shallow uniform depth

Inaccurate placement, especially seeding too deep can result in seeding failure.

Depth bands or gauge wheels linked to the openers provide positive seed depth control on disc type seeders. Air Drills: Newer technology and commonly available. Positive depth control. Very effective if can accurately meter seed mix.

Packing

On -row packing provides for good seed to soil contact– Gang style packers on

(top photo)

– Shank mounted packers (bottom)

Very loose cultivated ground may require a pre-seeding packing operation.

Other Equipment Considerations

Accurate, shallow seed placement on uneven terrain across the width of the entire machine

Row spacing

Very rough and/or rocky sites

Clear through heavy crop/straw residues– Wider row spacing generally will clear taller residue

with fewer plugging problems

– Disc drills may hair pin in heavy residue conditions

Size and Weight– may be a factor on wet or low lying areas, mine

tailings

– Small site (e.g. urban park) may require 3 point hitch or smaller tow behind drill

•Air drill used at

S.P.A.R.C•Disc drill.

•Factory fitted agitator

•Ammonium phosphate

used as carrier. •Successfully

established during

record drought year!!!!•Light grazing of this

site commenced one

year post planting!

Photo: AAFC-SPARC

Good Luck Planting!