Meyer: Direct Seed Focuses On Soil Health

The number of growers across the Northwest that convert from conventional practices to no-till or low-till grows each season.  Kay Meyer, President of the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association, told the Washington Ag Network many growers are just crunching the numbers.  She said growers can use fewer chemical fertilizers and pesticides in a no-till operation, which saves money down the road.

Meyer added it starts with creating a soil with its own biology.

“That’s got microbes, earth worms, creating all of the activities and the nutrient cycling that the plant needs, and to get healthy soil, you’re looking at a low disturbance operation, you’re also looking at a various crop rotation, or the introduction of cover crops.”

Meyer said she’s been approached by several farmers who say transitioning to no-till is cost prohibitive, especially when looking at the needed equipment.  She says that shouldn’t scare a farmer away.

“With in one or two seasons, you can pay for those self propelled sprayers that have the precision application on them, just with the reduction in product that you’re using.  When you’re looking at drills, because no-till has been around for a while, you can get really great used equipment, with great price points, rather than buying new stuff.”

Meyer noted for those that prefer new, prices there have dropped considerably, as well.  Meyer added farmers area always surprised how much their local environment benefits from no or low-till efforts.

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