No Till Drill
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The Valley Soil and Water Conservation District maintains two no-till drills available for rent to Valley County landowners at minimal cost. These specialized planters allow you to establish vegetation without traditional tillage, improving soil health while reducing labor, fuel costs, and erosion. No-till drilling is an effective tool for range seeding, pasture improvement, cover crop establishment, and wildfire rehabilitation.
Why No-Till?
Traditional tillage—plowing or disking before planting—disrupts soil structure, destroys beneficial microbes and earthworms, and leaves soil vulnerable to wind and water erosion. Frequent tilling can also reduce organic matter, compact soil layers, and deplete the natural fertility that healthy soils provide. No-till drilling offers a better approach by planting seeds directly into existing vegetation or crop residue, preserving soil structure and the underground ecosystem that supports productive land.
No-till practices improve soil health over time by maintaining organic matter, enhancing water infiltration, reducing runoff, and building resilience against drought. For ranchers and farmers, no-till drilling saves time and money by eliminating tillage operations while producing excellent germination rates in a variety of conditions. For wildfire recovery, no-till drilling can quickly establish vegetation on burned areas without further disturbing fragile soils.
Available Equipment
The District maintains two no-till drills to serve different seeding needs:
2003 Truax Company Flex II Series Grass Drill
11-foot drill width with 11 seed rows
Ideal for diverse seed mixes including legumes, grains, native grasses, and wildflowers
Hydraulic coupler connection (kit included if needed on your tractor)
Capable of being towed at slow speeds by a pickup truck with pintle hitch, or pulled behind a tractor if you live close to the pick-up location
2023 Frontier CSH48 with Cultipacker
4-foot drill width with 4 seed rows
Tractor size required: 53 HP or greater
3-point hitch connection
Seeds must be hauled to location; trailer and ramps are provided or transported by tractor if you live close to the pick-up location
Acreage capacity: No more than 10 acres can be planted with this drill at one time
Rental Information
Both drills are available for rent at $100 minimum for the first 5 acres, with an additional $20/acre over the 5 acres. All rental fees are used to maintain the equipment for community use. The rental fee for either drill is $100 minimum for the first 5 acres and an additional $20/acre over the 5 acres. Renters must complete a lease agreement and provide proof of tractor insurance or vehicle insurance depending on how the drill will be transported. A trailer is included with rentals to simplify transport.
The drills can plant a wide variety of seeds including native grasses, legumes, grain crops, cover crops, and wildflower mixes. They work in diverse site conditions including prepared fields, existing pastures, and rangeland. Spring is the most popular rental season for establishing cool-season grasses and wildfire mitigation plantings, but fall seeding is also effective for certain species.
Getting Started
To reserve a no-till drill, contact the Valley Soil and Water Conservation District. Our team can help you plan your seeding project, recommend appropriate seed mixes for your goals and site conditions, and schedule your rental. We'll provide instruction on operating the drill safely and effectively, and we're available to answer questions throughout your rental period.
Investing in soil health pays dividends for years to come. Whether you're improving pasture productivity, establishing cover crops, or rehabilitating land after wildfire, the District's no-till drills make conservation planting accessible and affordable for Valley County landowners.