Zero tillage ensures an ideal seed bed. It is firm and protected from wind and water erosion. Soil moisture is near the surface.

Zero till seedbeds look different and they are different from conventional till seedbeds. Many people initially see no-till seedbeds as messy, unkept and poorly managed. But just the opposite is true. Over time, you realize the beauty of a zero till seedbed..

The zero till seed bed evolves from a conventional till seedbed into a seedbed which has these characteristics: 1) Consistent residue cover means no crop loss due to wind or water erosion 2) Improved soil moisture conditions - a firm, moist seedbed 3) More suited to shallow seeding 4) More friable 5) Better trafficability - surface residue means seed, spray and harvest operations can be done with less soil compaction 6) Greater biological activity and more active organic fraction 7) Cooler

"Seed as shallow as possible. Generally our seed is placed about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch deep and we've always got moisture for germination. The crop gets out of the ground quickly and then we rely on what acquired moisture we can get from there on. "

Bob McNabb, Minnedosa, Manitoba