THE popularity of Seed Hawk sowing equipment in the Mallee and South East regions of South Australia has kept staff at G.J. Clarke and Co, Karoonda, very busy.
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The business has sold 17 units in the past six months.
Company co-director Leigh- ton Huxtable said it had been a challenge keeping up with demand, but they were on target.
"We have had enormous inquiry from everywhere but particularly from people on stony and non-wetting soils," he said.
"The need to get better, early seed emergence with limited moisture means people are placing an emphasis on accurate seed placement.
"The Seed Hawk is a machine offering precision seeding but able to stand up in very stony conditions.
"It also enables you to do more hectares an hour to get cropping projects finished on the desired date."
Mr Huxtable said the big swing to dry sowing meant accurate seed placement had become much more critical.
"You need a machine like this to give the right amount of soil throw to enable pre-emergent chemicals to work most effectively," he said.
"You want to be able to accurately separate seed from fertiliser and get a better percentage seed germination, which allows you to reduce seeding rates."
Mr Huxtable said one of the reasons farmers were changing their seeding equipment was the government's subsidy scheme to assist with the purchase of conservation tillage disc and knife point seeders and bins.
The scheme is due to run until the end of June, 2014.
The business has been selling Seed Hawks in widths from 12-metre to 26m and with various tyne spacings ranging from 25 to 38 centimetres.