The Van Buren Conservation District rents two different types of no-till drills for planting cover crops and conservation cover as well as a Brillion seeder for establishing hayland and pastures. We also offer other tools that help farmers and landowners evaluate their practices and best manage their land. Take a look at the information below to decide which will work best for your situation.
To inquire about equipment rental availability, please contact us:
Kyle Mead, Conservation Specialist
269-205-3377
MAEAP@VanBurenCD.org
*Tax Exemption for farm rentals are available by filling out this State of Michigan Sales Tax Exemption Form and returning it with your signed rental agreement and deposit.
The No-Till Drill is best for planting small grain into un-tilled ground. Mainly used for planting cover crops but can be used for cash crops such as soybeans and wheat. The 1590 No-Till Drill plants 15 ft. wide and renters will need a minimum of a 1/2 ton pick-up truck to transport this piece of equipment and at least 100 HP tractor to pull it.
The Truax No-Till Drill is the perfect planter for establishing native wildflowers and grasses into bare ground, or inter-seeding into sod or cover crops. Using the no-till system requires little prep other than weed control. You can plant your seed into un-tilled ground, making only one pass with the Truax. The three separate seed boxes are gauged for different sized seeds and make it suitable to plant several seed mixes at a time. Even very small native wildflower seeds will be metered correctly with proper calibration. The Truax plants 4 ft. wide (6 rows x 8″), making it ideal for planting between vine or orchard rows. It can also be used to plant larger tracts into conservation cover such as pollinator habitat. It has a three point hitch and requires at least a 60 HP tractor.
The Brillion seeder is best for planting grasses into tilled ground and is mainly used for planting hayland and pastures. The SS12 seeder plants 12 ft. wide. Renters will need a minimum of a 1/2 ton pick-up truck to transport this piece of equipment and at least 80 HP tractor with either front wheel assist or duals for planting.
Standard soil sample probe. Easily gather soil plugs for soil testing.
No Cost
For additional information see a list of local soil testing resources.
A 20,000 lbs. capacity scale with 5 scales available (for tandem axel manure spreaders)
No Cost, VBCD Staff-operated Only
Determine accurate manure application rates in a few easy steps:
Catch Cans for determining irrigation output to the soil. Accurately determine how much water is reaching the soil, how uniform applications are across the field, and circumvent the need for a flow meter.
No Cost
A cone penetrometer can help determine if a soil suffers from compaction, whether at the surface or in the subsoil.
No Cost
The Pullerbear is a heavy-duty, manual tree/weed-pulling tool designed for removing small trees, shrubs and invasive plants by the roots rather than simply cutting them off. It features aggressive jaws that clamp onto the base of the stem and a long handle that gives leverage to extract the plant and its roots from the ground.
No Cost
Please contact the SWxSW Corner CISMA for proper management of Knotweed. The herbicide injector is available for lending after a consultation with the SWxSW Corner CISMA.
Japanese Knotweed is an herbaceous shrub that is prohibited under Michigan Law. This perennial plant can grow from 3-10 feet high, has hollow stalks that are persistent through winter, and looks similar to bamboo. Stems have a fine, white coating that rubs off easily. In Michigan, it blooms in August/September, and the flowers are arranged in spikes near the end of the stem that are small, numerous, and a creamy white color. This invasive species is extremely difficult to eradicate. Treatment should happen in the Fall.
No Cost
