AC Saltlander Seed Plots
A few years ago we could not drive through this area - now its producing bales
Kids standing in a field of Saltlander mid summer.
Summer grazing – cow standing in post heading pasture of Saltlander
Older dryland Saltlander field in June. See evidence of cows stripping off the heads.
Late Fall: Picking on Saltlander irrigation seed field. (Sweet Grass Hills in Montana 35 miles south)
Early Fall regrowth Saltlander seed fields irrigated.
10 year plus dryland Saltlander pasture along the Montana/Alberta border.
Later that Fall
4 month old Saltlander growing through a severe (white) alkali slough area
The same 4 acre slough area had been white for over 30 years
The next year, all that is left of the salinity patch. Surface drainage was part of the rehabilitation process.
Later that fall. Notice regrowth indicating presence of ground water within 7 feet of the surface.
Emerging seedlings, 2 leaves about a month since seeding.
A nice crop. Best ever yield nearly 300 lbs/ acre
Pivot track. See the yellow pollen sacks hanging in late afternoon
Close up of the anthers
Swathing same crop with 21’ header
John Deere 1895 Drill. Barley in 20” rows, Saltlander in 10” rows. Grass was beginning to throw heads indicating it was in good health.
Aftermath is baled for winter cow feed. Stems are hollow so cows accept it readily.
John Deere 1895 with mid row fertilizer banders. Very accurate depth control and minimal furrows. Our best drill for undisturbed land.
Quite good depth control, some furrows. Roll or harrow pack or better yet a nice rain to avoid loose ground before drilling.
Well used double disc with trailing packer wheels. We slowed the seed flute shaft by 50% to avoid bridging. This drill did a lot of work for us.
Pans worn down about 3/4 inch
10” shank drill, 1” openers and pneumatic tires
Used the shiny washers to get even seeding depth especially in tire tracks. Also stiffened the springs there.
2 passes with a vertical tillage disc. 4 passes and the field is ready to seed. There appears to be more root mass than with native prairie sod breaking. Great way to raise soil organic matter content.
Same disc Third set of pans on it now
Chain harrow operating on a 10 year old Saltlander dri land corner used for winter feed ground. It can handle the abuse.
