A Machine for Pasture Interseeding

A pasture interseeding machine that interseeds legumes and grasses in established grasslands has been developed by the Agricultural Engineering Department of South Dakota State University. The pasture interseeding machine cuts four furrows approximately 4 inches wide, 2 inches deep and 30 inches apart. Seeds are placed in a seedbed prepared in these furrows. The furrows eliminate some competition from the existing sod and minimize runoff and erosion if placed on the contour. SDSU agricultural engineers designed the machine so the spring-loaded coulters and inclined disks cut slices of sod and soil. These slices are displaced to the sides of the cut furrows. Seeds are planted with furrow openers operating in the cut furrows. The results of interseeding legumes and grasses in grassland during 1969, 1970 and 1971 were favorable when adequate moisture and weather conditions prevailed. Most furrows and sod slices produced while interseeding will weather (see Figures 1 and 2), thus, maintenance of the grassland will not be severely handicapped. Results show much promise of increasing production and quality of grasslands