Bio-Diesel - Spring 2008
Sunflower Plot (Seed Stock for 2009)...
This episode of theworkshop.ca
boldly heads off in pursuit of "Home Grown Energy", literally as I
hope to establish my seed stock for 2009 and determine if Sunflower Oil is
"Net Energy Positive" (meaning that I have more bio-diesel at the end
of the exercise than what it took to grow it.
After talking to a few of
neighbours and Agri-Saavy acquaintances (and being assured that it was a fools
errand) I was more stoked than before... Nobody had any opinions one way or the
other about the potential for fuel, but all agreed that if you can plant and
harvest a crop of sunflower it has a greater value on the market than being used
for fuel.
That may be the case (for now),
but how can you put a price on the piece of mind gained from growing a renewable
source of fuel and never having to leave the farm.
The plow pictured to the right
is in the process of finally being refurbished, specifically the loose coulter
discs that cut ahead of the plow are being re-secured with 1/4" plate and
threaded rod.
My first choice is to work the
shit out of the field this first year or hire in a licensed sprayer and douse
the field with Round-Up.
Since I have an aversion to folk
unknown to me and although Round-up sounds swell, I opted to invest in the fuel
and some equipment maintenance instead.
The
fields directly behind the barn were my first choice due to proximity to water
and the house as I want to keep this an active project .
The plowing was a bit rough at
first (until I set the plow level and kanted it side to side approximating level
as the tractor runs on an angle to the right).
Also I found that maintaining
the right speed (1500RPM in 3rd gear low) was a key parameter to get the sod to
roll to the side, it took about half the field to figure that out.
And from the interweb, I read an
overview of how to set your first furrow(s) and layout a field for plowing that
worked like a charm. Except I drifted off to one side so the field is not
centered or square relative to the fencing.
The image below is from the
Gramin FR201 GPS and traces a bit more detail than what I wanted to capture,
after sitting down and actually reading the manual I resolved the issues, though
it is neat to see the ground that I covered that particular afternoon.
I just had to include a shot of
the plow cleanly cutting and turning the furrows over.
When everything is running just
right it's a feeling that is a cross between good sex and the satisfaction of
drawing a line through a task just completed, though prolonged for the duration
of the field.
How many things in life fit that
description???
The field is plotted in silhouette
to the left.
Though much larger than I'd
originally planned, it may be actually somewhat smaller than what would be
required beyond establishing my "Seed-Stock" requirements for next
year (2009).
The rough numbers equate to 100
US Gallons per Acre, or 380 Liters per acre.
After reviewing numerous charts
relating to fertilizer and chemical additives to the soil (knowing that Crop
rotation and water were the only variables that I'd be working with) I think
that conservatively I may yield between 1,000lbs to 1,500lbs per acre as
compared to the 1,750lbs up to 2,500lbs quoted in the Manitoba Sunflower
Production Guide.
The plowed field needed to be
disc'd and harrowed to break-up the clods of sod and furrows that haven't been
worked for at least 30 years or more.
The components shown to the
right are the basis for the harrows that will be pulled behind the discs.
The harrows are fixed to a heavy
tube and a length of T-Fence post with cut links of chain.
This way they will retain their
relative position but still be free to bounce about and break-up the soil.
As well some minor repairs were
done on the Harrows that had worn, rusted or broke over the last 100 years or so
since they were new.
A suitable hook was welded in
place to secure the harrows.
No surprises here, traction and
gravity seem to be doing their jobs.
The field was disc'd a total of
5 (five) times over a 2 week period.
Eventually the cement blocks
were removed as they were bouncing about and a pain to keep secured in place.
With the additional drag of the
harrows there didn't seem to be much change in the tilling action of the discs
so I likely won't add a proper frame any time soon.
Again more GPS mapping...
The point of trying to capture
and record this type of data is to establish some baseline that can be used to
scale and project the size of fields and potential yields in the future.
Similarly my fuel usage is also
being tracked to aid in determining if this ultimately will be viable
venture as it matures.
Lastly, though not critical at
this phase, but the time required over the steps will be handy as well for allocating
my time on bigger fields.
This smaller plot is our family
garden and what I hope to be able to establish as that baseline of field quality
over 2 to 5 acres over the next few years.
This plot has been worked
consistently for the last 4 or 5 years and supplies a reasonable portion of our
summer and fall produce.
Admittedly we're learning every
year as we go along, but I can't help but feel that basic skills like these are
better learnt in times of plenty than in times of want.
Comparatively the sunflower plot
looks rough after only 2 (two) runs of the Disc/Harrow.
In this view the field is
obviously off center and diagonal to what I'd intended.
Though an unintended feature, it
stands to reason that I if I can't grow a 1/3rd acre plot, better to figure out
why now than investing fuel, time and money into a full acre or more.
To the right is a 21lb sack of
Pioneer Hybrid Hi-Yield Sunflower "Oil-Seed" as opposed to the striped
confectioners seed that doesn't equate to as much finished product (oil).
This was purchased at a cost of
approx $100 CDN, and should cover 2 Acres @ approx 11lbs/Acre or 14,000 to
16,000 seeds per acre.
Since real money was now on the
line I redoubled my efforts at discing and reading.
The seeds are a shiny black and
and leave a slippery powder residue when handled.
I have several ideas for a seed
drill of sorts but have concerns that all are too complicated to build in the
limited time I have before these have to be in the ground.
But given their size and
seemingly free flow I don't think that it is a majour concern (the hallmark of a
majour concern).
The foundation for my seeder
will be the 3pt hitch portion of this defunct Bush-Hog.
The hitch assembly was liberated
and the remains of the bush hog returned to it's weed patch in a greater state
of dereliction than it was in at dawn.
All welds are applied at close
to 90amps via the stick welder with 3 passes to ensure a deep strong weld.
The main boom for this apparatus
is a 7ft length of 1 1/2" by 3", 1/4" thick u-channel (which
proves to be too light.)
The finished sub-assembly
(really just the boom and 3pt Hitch) is checked for depth/height of movement via
the hydraulics and top-link adjustment.
It seems to be ok...
This 2 wheeled Bolen's
power-plant has been a chronic pain in the ass, and I've been looking for an
excuse to cannibalize it for parts or even just scrap out.
For now I'll be satisfied with
chopping up the cultivator tines and using them on the seeder.
In this view the seeder
(wannabe) is tilted up to aid in the measurement, placement and welding of the
tines to the main boom.
Again, averaging out the data
found on-line and in printed references I opted for 12" spacing of the
rows.
For a spacing greater than the
tread of the rear tires I had to add a 7th tine located in the center that (by
chance/availability) is larger and heavier than the 6 donors from the Bolens'.
The idea (Beyond looking pretty
fuckin' sharp) is to add a series of tubes, a seed bin and some
electro-mechanical shutter device to dispense seeds at a rate that equates to
maximal yield and minimal row crowding.
This grand idea was quickly put
to rest...
In this image 4 (four) of the 6
donors have snapped of due to the rusty/weak bolts that fastened the cast tine
holders to the welded brackets.
I guess I should have plotted
the numerous times I walked the field on the GPS in search of the missing 4th
tine (that never was found).
After I replaced all the bolts
with hardened cylinder head bolts, the frame became seriously twisted.
Eventually I busted 2 of
the castings that held the tines as well.
For next year I imagine that the
U-Channel will be replaced with square box 2" by 3", 1/4" walled
stock and the tines will be made from solid 3/8ths, 4" stock.
This was a wasted
morning...
Since I was reduced to seeding
by hand, I figured this would be the least of my worries... a simple tube with a
1/2" ball-valve modified to fully rotate.
The idea being I could just walk
the rows and crank the handle around at a set pace relative to my ground speed
and rake the rows over when done.
This would also act as a
mini-proof of concept that would be applied to next years improved seeder.
After numerous tests, it proved
to be prone to clogging with a singe seed stuck sideways above the ball-valve
opening.
So I was reduced to the
hand-broadcast method. (talk about Lo-Tech).
At this point all the math, yields,
row spacing and seed density data goes out the window as I try to walk in a
straight line and scatter my seed as uniformly as possible.
After a short time I quickly
settled into the step, throw, rhythm scattering the seeds in a broad arc side to
side.
As it turns out the seeds did
largely settle into the rows that were scribed by the seeder, as the course
groove and slight shoulder of soil acted like a funnel.
The GPS tells no lies...
There is a small jog off to the
right where I stepped off the field to have a piss on the way back down the fist
row of seeding.
Obviously I must have become
disoriented a few times in the open field as my movements are pretty erratic for
someone that is supposed to be methodically covering the ground.
The tractor is located at the
top right of the field and holds the sack of seed. Although I did try to pace
myself, 1 container of seed per up and down the field, I managed to apply a full
10lbs to the 1/3rd acre plot. (that is 3 (three) times the prescribed density
and may result in below average yields due to competition).
The seede field was run-over
with the disc/Harrow one last time to cover over the seeds.
And the ultimate was having a
constant overnight rain to soak the garden and seed plot.
My work is done for now and and
I got my plot in by the last weekend in May. The daytime temps are in the low
20's C and the evening is only down to 10 C ideal climate for germination and
seedling development.
The total fuel to this point is
20 liters of diesel (less approx 2 liters for the Garden work that was done off
the same tank).
This fall (provided I actually
get Sunflowers) the field will be re-plowed and expanded to a full acre, as well
as a second field immediately to the left for 2 full acres.
The only plans I have for
harvesting is to use a heavy machete and harvest this initial plot by hand (Like
sugar cane sans the slave labour), and to establish some sort of solar drier to
bring the seed moisture content down to 10 to 12% so it can be either processed
or stored for next year without fear of rot or mildew.
Similarly, I have the summer to
fabricate some sort of "Head tumbler" that will free the seeds from
the pods and if I'm lucky de-hull the seeds in the process. Since this project
wasn't really slated to start till 2009 I may not get to building a screw press
until next year though am sure that I'll try a few things when I actually have
some stock to work with.
The next update will be in the
fall to post the progress of the crop.