Seed Destructor could help farmers in the battle with resistant weeds

Nov 01, 2016

Invention was created by an Australian farmer

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

A device created by an Australian farmer is being studied by researchers in Illinois to determine if it’s a viable option for producers to use in the fight against resistant weeds.

The Harrington Seed Destructor (HSD), developed by Ray Harrington, pulverizes small weed seeds during harvest, preventing them from germinating. The machine reroutes smaller pieces of chaff and crushes the smaller seeds mixed into the chaff, including waterhemp and palmer amaranth.

Researchers say HSD isn’t the universal solution to resistant weeds, but it’s a start.

“I don’t think it will be a game-changer by itself,” Adam Davis, weed scientist at the University of Illinois, who’s involved in studying the machine, told Iowa Farmer Today. “It will contribute to a much more effective integrated weed management strategy. When used with other tactics, it will take a lot more pressure off other tools.”

HSD can currently be pulled behind a combine but needs to specifically attach to each combine. But, according to Iowa Farmer Today, an engineering company said an integrated version could be available next year.

The integrated model would cost about $30,000, compared to $180,000 for the pull-behind model.

Davis said pull-behind machine is almost the same size as a combine. He could see farmers having a preference for the integrated version.

“I believe that the pull-behind model is too much of a hassle and too expensive for growers to do themselves,” he told Iowa Farmer Today. “But the integrated version should be at a price point that individuals can afford. We see equipment companies offering that as option.”

Last winter, researchers tested a variety of weed seeds in stationary tests, including waterhemp, cocklebur and giant ragweed. Iowa Farmer Today reports the machine was effective on “more than 99 per cent of the seeds.”

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.