Mechanized Design — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase I: 8.13

Description

The current issue this research addresses is the lack of an affordable method for small and midsize farms to plant cover crops into standing cash crops. Cover crops are crops planted either into standing cash crops (such as corn or soybeans) or in between cash crop seasons that are planted for reasons other than harvesting for grain. Using cover crops can help reduce the amount of irrigation and chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in growing cash crops. Exposure to and consumption of these fertilizers and pesticides have been linked to a variety of health issues. Cover crops also reduce the soil erosion caused by wind, sun, and rain when there is no cash crop in the ground. Another advantage of cover crops is the benefit they bring to soil health, introducing more nutrients into the soil which leads to increased cash crop yields. Cover crops reduce the trips over the field without spreading fertilizer which reduces fuel consumption and compaction of the soil.Part of the reason cover crops are not used, especially on small and midsize farms is that there is no practical broadcast seeder that is affordable for small and midsize farms. Often times the seed distribution is a custom set up to each farmer or is too costly for a small or midsize farm. Developing this broadcast seeder will give a cost effective way for small and midsize farms to plant cover crops.The approach on this project is simple. The first task is to complete the calculations that prove the project's hypothesis. Then each component of the seeder will be tested separately to validate the calculations and verify any assumptions made during calculations. The last step is to update the design based on the test results and make improvements as needed to produce an efficient and cost effective product.The ultimate goal for this project is to develop a complete and thorough design of a broadcast seeder attachment that is affordable for small and midsized farms. The impact this broadcast seeder will have is to give a more cost effective option to farmers to distribute cover crop seeds in standing cash crops. As more farms use cover crops, less chemical fertilizers and pesticides will be used. This will reduce harmful toxins in the ground and water that negatively affects the health of the population. This also will increase the health of the soil and area water ways, leading to a more sustainable use of agricultural lands.