Exactrix

[kamichel]

Anyone using the Exactix Anhydrous system?
Seen it at the farm progress show in Regina. The idea and science behind it sounds good using a pump to keep the anhydrous at high pressure and forcing it through a small orifice where the anhydrous will still be liquid and at high speed entering the soil. Better penetration. What I disagree with is the amount that they claim one can cut back on the amount of anhydrous applied to the field. They claimed 40 percent reduction will get the same yield and protien. They are trying to justify the 50,000 dollar price tag. Anyone using the system???

[frustrated1]

What basis were they justifying the savings on? Seems to me you still require the same rate of N regardless how it's applied. We'll make the assumption for arguments sake they have 0 loss, a "conventional" system would still have to be spewing NH3 everywhere to make up the difference in loss. Are they claiming some strange synergy with high pressure injection?

[poorboy]

I think the claim to reduced N application comes as a comparison to fall applied NH3 in very wet soils to applying NH3 right at seeding time.

Salesmen claimed that lots of corn growers applied 250 lbs of N in the fall to soils that were going to get lots of moisture and not freeze up for much of the winter. I would imagine that the N losses would be huge. Most farmers in the corn belt probably don't want to apply it in the spring.

I thought that the beauty of the exactix system may be that you could run a low disturbace knife with wings and no deep running fertilizer point. It would pull easier, disturb less soil, and the exactrix blows the NH3 2-3 inches down into the soil below the seed by pressure.

It is used on the JD and case disk drills to put on NH3 without having to midrow band.

I was looking at a new bourgault airdrill and the mid row coulters are 20000, so if I don't need them it helps offset the exactrix price some, but it is still expensive.

[kamichel]

They claim that on all other applicators the anhydrous is vaporizing in the lines.
That is why there is frost on the lines it is because the liquid is turning to a gas.
They claim there is such a variable in the amount of anhydrous along the row because of the vaporizing. That is where they are coming from. They say they have done farmer side by side tests and using less anhydrous with good results.

[frustrated1]

The injection part makes sense to me. Certainly a more positive method of ground contact and less draft with a smaller opener is good in most cases. The 40% claim is a pretty large claim, one ultimate extreme to the other no doubt, but some "average" results would make it sound a lot more credible. I'm guessing if you're changing drills it should be looked at. If you're applying with what you have at seeding time now I can't in my wildest dreams imagine where 40% less could produce the same results. I do think this iron could be worthwile looking at but expecting to replace what you've got just to get this won't be paying you back in the first year. If you're setting up a new drill anyhow... Maybe, but I suspect if you're already applying at seeding time you won't see anything close to 40%.

[kamichel]

Now I have heard that Atomjet makes an openner for the Exactrix system that shoots the Anhydrous in a side band at a 45 degree angle unlike the liquid just out to the side. So that sounds like a good thing but never seen it yet. If planting canola the anhydrous I think should be shot downward especially when planting canola. Would like to know someone actually using the system to look at fields.
Yes economics are better when purchasing a new drill because do not need the midrow band that I am using now. And can use lower disturbance openner. My tractor that is currently under powered and under tractioned would also be better off.
Also the guys I met at the Farm Progress show come off more as salesmen than the Engineer they claim or farmer that has to use it. Components look well made.

[poorboy]

I have a neighbor who used the atom-jet NH3 sideband openers this year with just a raven cooler and rate controller, no exactix. They have been selling them for a couple of years into the wetter and clay soil regions, such as the red river valley.

Local fertilizer dealer tested the NH3 separation from the seed with his chemical kit and there was 1-2" separation and his crops look awesome. However, it was a very wet spring here and it is hard to say how it may have been if soils were dry.

In looking at the Bourgault paralink drill, they are using a packer wheel on each shank for optimum seed placement and Midrow coulters to apply the fertilizer. An exactric system to inject the NH3 using the same opener on the paralink would avoid the cost of the mid row coulters. It would also place all the fertilizer closer to the seeds, pull easy because each shank is only going into the ground the same depth.

You would get the short frame of the Bourgault paralink drill as compared to the conservapak, seed hawk, seed master etc. with their longer 2 shank system, and no cost, maintenace, or draft associated with bourgaults mid row coulters. It just may be one of the best fits for the exactrix where I live.

[kamichel]

I notice with the seedhawks and those type of drill that when they turn the seed rows double over each other creating lots of space between the rows. I have my eye on the bourgault parallel link also. I have used bourgault now for 27 years and have enjoyed their better resale value.

[wedino]

I would question injecting NH3 2" into soil, they only use 200 lbs/sq inch pressure. As soon as NH3 is released from the orifice it will boil & begin to vaporize. Similar to an expansion valve on an air conditioner. IMHO.

[wedino]

These guys use a pump to pressure NH3, too.

[URL="http://www.anh3.com/"][/URL]

[kamichel]

Thanks I will check into it when I have time.

[craig]

Just a note re N fertilizer application timing. An employee from Ag Leader told us that on their farm they have been able to cut back on N rates by sidebanding in crop on Corn. The reduced rates have been substantial without loss in yield. This is in comparison to fall banding large amounts of N.

[kamichel]

Could be where they are coming from then.
I have not been in contact with them since the show. I do know that my N application could use some improvement in that when the moisture in the air is higher then the Anhydrous does have a problem going into the soil. I can see it in my crops.

[wedino]

What are you seeing? Vapor at openers? Vapor releasing out of soil 100 ft. behind machine? In wet conditions my knives tend to smoke a bit, I don't think I'm losing much as trench is immediately covered & then packer wheel runs over it. (SeedHawk)

[kamichel]

Yes can actually see vapors behind machine especially on the midrow bands that are at the back of the machine, not sure really about 100' behind but I have noticed it in the crop that there is less N as it is yellower. My neighbour has a new seed hawk this year and I noticed his job looks better than mine and he also runs around the clock. Not that I want to start doing that sort of thing.