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Mid
Row Banding vs Side-banding:
Western
Producer article "Side Band vs. Mid Row: Debate Generates
Controversy"
dated April 6th, 2006 |
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Our
recent advertising campaign, which draws attention to the risk
management advantages of mid
row banding nitrogen fertilizer over the potentially higher risk
side-banding of nitrogen, has created some controversy. It has
been encouraging to see that this topic has received such great
attention. Our goal was to raise awareness of the types of risk
advantages that differentiate our product from our competitor’s
products.
The debate and the
resulting increased awareness that is occurring in the farm
community on the advantages and disadvantages
of both systems can only result in the betterment of the agricultural
community. However, there have been two articles published
recently that appear to misinterpret our message. Therefore,
the record needs to be set straight with the facts. |
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| Two
Inch by Two Inch Separation - What did AAFC say? |
Allegation:
The Western Producer article holds a bolded comment; “It is wrong information
to say that AAFC recommends two inches by two inches. Nobody in our system ever
made that comment.” stated by Guy Lafond, Agriculture Canada about 2"
x 2" separation of seed and fertilizer. |
Fact:
In January 2005, presentations made in Brandon,
Minot, Regina, Melfort, and Olds by four different
representatives of AAFC to the Bourgault
dealer network state otherwise. Below is an excerpt
directly
from that AAFC presentation.
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Side
Banding
- Placed
to side and below seed
- Often
entire N needs can be met
- 1”
x 1” separation may be insufficient
- 2”
x 2” would generally be safe
- High
disturbance may dry and disrupt seedbed
- Safer
than seed-placed
Source:
AAFC |
Download
Side-banding Page - AAFC Presentation (jpg)
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Download
Cover Only - AAFC Presentation (jpg)
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Download
Complete Presentation (PDF - 2 mb) |
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| 20
Bushels Difference - Did it Happen? |
Allegation:
Bourgault
advertised that research has documented a 20 bushel
increase
with mid row banders vs side banders under challenging
conditions. This information was taken from research that
was conducted by Agriculture Canada in conjunction with
PAMI and the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Lafond describes
in the Western Producer article a conversation he had with a
farmer. With regards to the 20 bushel difference, when the farmer
asked if that
was
possible,
Dr. Lafond
stated, "So
I told him that, 'no, it is not possible' and I proceeded
to
explain to
him what had happened."
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Fact:
In the PAMI study
mentioned above, the fact is the mid row banded plots had double
the emergence and out yielded the side banded plots by 21.3
bushel per acre at the Indian Head site in 2001 for all fertilizer
rates. |
In
the PAMI report, the explanation for this result given
was that the side-banded plots were seeded too shallow.
This is precisely the situation that farmers can
face in any given year when trying to select the optimum
depth
of side-band openers in adverse conditions.
Further,
it is not mentioned in the Western Producer article that
the 20 bushel yield difference at Indian Head was brought
to
Bourgault's
attention
by Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in the January 2005 presentations
to the Bourgault
dealer network. |
Download
Comparison Chart - AAFC Presentation (jpg) |
Download
Cover Only - AAFC Presentation (jpg)
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Download
Complete Presentation (PDF - 2 mb) |
The
data supports our position that Bourgault's MRB
systems are a superior risk management tool for one-pass
seeding. It has always been our message that in normal
conditions,
farmers will get similar yields with either one-pass system.
However, in the conditions that were present for this test,
the
mid
row banders
far
out-performed
side-banders in both emergence and yield.
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| The
Whole Story - Who is Telling it? |
Allegation:
Bourgault
was severely chastised for using “partial” albeit factual
data, that allegedly misrepresents what occurred in the
testing.
Fact:
Bourgault
has utilized ads, posters, and other forms of advertising
to create interest, and they were not intended to give
the whole story. However, we have spent hundreds of man-hours
in
researching the issues and have produced a DVD presentation
that is available upon request. Producers
are free to review the entire presentation and make their
own decision on the validity and relevance
of the issues for their situation.
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Mid
Row Banding DVD & AAFC Presentation
For
your copy of the Bourgault MRB DVD and AAFC Presentation "Fertilizer
Management in One-Pass Seeding Systems" CD, please email a request clicking on the link or icons
on the right. Include your name and address for shipping.
For
a paper copy of the AAFC presentation "Fertilizer Management
in One-Pass Seeding Systems", please e-mail or
fax (306-275-2307) your request. You may also submit your
request by mail
to Bourgault Industries Ltd., Box 39, St.Brieux SK,
S0K 3V0. Include your name and address for shipping.
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Submit
your request for the
Bourgault MRB DVD and AAFC Presentation "Fertilizer
Management in One-Pass Seeding Systems" CD.
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