Re: Middlebuster Planter question

Posted by John A. on February 01, 2005 at 21:03:10 from (65.161.170.9):

In Reply to: Middlebuster Planter question posted by JohnG(TX) on February 01, 2005 at 14:10:18:

John G, Let me help carify your questions.
On the question on why was this done....
As Allan and other said, It has to do with the placement of the seed! "elevation" lower placement of the seed will have more soil moisture available than that on the top of the bed! Also catch what rain that does fall, and funnel it directly to the root area..
On the other question, NO! after germination of the seed and a couple of weeks to a month and a half then, one starts plowing out the top with a single 8 to 10in shovel to start covering the roots up and create a new furrow. In the middle where the top use to be!
That would apply to high rainfall areas!! BUT in the High Plains region the cultivation is done differently.
The crop is still planted in the bottom, but cultivation is done with a "Knife Sled" most commonly in 4 or 6 row applications.
The Knife Sled is a 3pt mounted unit with what looks like HD slide fenders that pass about 4 in off the centerline of where the seed was placed. With bolted on Wings tha slant back at about a 45 degree angle these things are called "Knives". The sled fenders drop into the lower porition of the row, the fenders protect the young crop and the Knives slice under the tops to cut the weeds, but leave the residue on top to help control erosion and maintain a higher soil moisture content in the profile.
Yes you have to "Draw your puckering String tight" to drive and stay up on top of the rows.
When you slide off you get "Cultivator Blight" ours was always 6 rows wide.
Now in irrigated ground and most of Central Texas these farmers are planting "Flat" then cultivating rows in later. Hope this helps!
Later,
John A.

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