Vesco Agricultural Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Seed Capital Group, a Company that is at the forefront of an ecological movement that strives to balance productivity with sustainability.

 

Clean Seed is uniquely positioned to contribute to and benefit from a rapidly emerging market opportunity in the sustainable agricultural sector.

 

Reduced soil erosion – Crop residues on the surface reduce erosion by water and wind. One of the major reasons why no-till practice can significantly reduce soil erosion is that it prevents rill generation which ultimately contributes up to 90% of soil erosion. Depending upon the amount of residue present, erosion can be virtually eliminated;

 

Reduced Carbon Gases emissions – Less tillage keeps naturally occurring carbon in the soil for use as organic matter. Intensive tillage releases soil carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide where it can combine with other gases and contribute to Global Warming. The Company has initiated meetings with the Environment Canada to discuss how the Terra-Glide can contribute to carbon sequestration and thereby benefit Canada in meeting its greenhouse gas emission targets.

 

At current carbon-credit prices, payments to farmers for the use of no-till can reach into the thousands of dollars per year. Proposals in Congress to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions mean farmers will recieve much more in the near future, with payments expected to start at several times what farmers receive now and then rise;

 

Reduced Seed and Fertilizer Costs – The moisture retention and precise planting achieved by the Terra-Glide systems results in a reduction of the seed and fertilizer required. The metering system allows the farmer to plant precise amounts of seed consistently placed at the optimum depth and precise amounts of fertilizer placed where it achieves the most benefit;

 

Fuel savings – Single pass planting saves an average of 3.5 gallons (13.2L) per acre (per CTIC 1998 study). For the average-sized Canadian farm of approximately 675 acres, this can translate into fuel savings to the farmer of $8-10,000 or more depending on the price of fuel.

Improved long-term productivity – Carbon in the soil accounts for about half of the organic matter. Latest research shows the less you till, the more carbon you keep in the soil to build organic matter which in turn, promotes future productivity;

 

Improved water quality – Crop residues help hold soil particles, associated nutrients, herbicides and pesticides on the field, cutting runoff rates of these substances in half. The microbes that live in carbon rich soils quickly degrade pesticides, better protecting groundwater quality;

 

Reduced labor requirements – One trip across the field for planting, as compared to two or more. According to a 1998 Conservation Tillage Information Center (“CTIC”) study, on a 500 acre farm the time saving can be as great as 225 hours per year;

 

Reduced machinery wear – Fewer trips across the field save an estimated $5 per acre on machinery wear and maintenance costs (per CTIC 1998 study);

 

Reduced air pollution – Crop residues reduce wind erosion and the amount of dust in the air. Lower horsepower requirements and fewer trips also reduce fossil fuel emissions;

 

Moisture Retention – Due to the narrow vertical opening in the soil created by the opener, there is minimal surface soil disturbance. Testing of the opener and the closing system has demonstrated that the technology's simple closing system effectively and efficiently completely closes the narrow opening slit. In some surface and soil conditions, observers have noted difficulty in determining where the opener had passed through the ground. This complete closing of the surface will ensure maximum retention of soil moisture – maintaining the optimal growing environment for a longer period during dry conditions;

 

Enhances oxygen diffusion - Improves early plant development by enhancing oxygen diffusion through the seed zone;

 

Better seed emergence – Provides for superior seedling emergence in dry soils;

Improved Water Infiltration – Tests by the USDA and a number of US Universities clearly indicate water infiltration of no-tilled fields is superior to that of tilled fields. Crop residues act as tiny dams to slow water runoff from the field, allowing the water more time to soak into the soil. Infiltration is also increased by channels created by earthworms and old plant roots left intact;

 

Simple Design and Ease of Operation – The Terra-Glide's simple design results in fewer moving parts, ease of replacement part installation and simple manufacture and assembly. The extensive engineering undertaken and automated fabrication will result in lower production costs and lower repair costs. It is not the company's intention to attempt to gain market share based on a low selling price strategy. The ease of operation will result in reduced training time and further time and cost savings will be realized by the farmer from a reduction in downtime for maintenance and installation of replacement parts.