No-Till Seeder Drills
Now Scheduling Rentals for 2024 and 2025
No-Till Seeder Drills for Rent to Berkshire Area Farmers
The District has two no-till seeder drills available to rent. While funding lasts, we are able to continue our subsidy of no fee per acre in 2024. See below to download a Rental Agreement and send that to us with a Certificate of Liability Insurance listing Berkshire Conservation District as an additional insured and a $50 deposit to hold your requested dates.
Contact our Program Manager today for more information.
Berkshire Conservation District purchased a new Esch 5512 12 foot No-Till seeder drill in 2019. Built in Pennsylvania, the seeder has 5.5″ seed spacing and is equipped with a foam marker. It has a swing tongue that allows it to fold to 8’8″ for easy road transport. *Minimum of 10 acres for rental.*
Introducing the new Esch 5607 No Till Grain Drill
The Esch 5607 No Till Drill is now available for rent to Berkshire County area farmers. A 3/4 ton tow vehicle with a 2 5/16″ ball is required. The 5607 Esch Drill features a no-till coulter with tapered roller bearings and a small seed tube behind double disc. It comes with replaceable wear bushings and makes adjusting the seed depth with its T-handle.
Number of Openers: 15, Row Spacing: 5.5″, Planting Width: 6′ 10″, Transporting Width: 9′ 4″, Weight: 4500 lbs.
*Minimum 2 acres for rental.*
This equipment was purchased through grant funding from the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
Why No-Till? Increase crop yield, use less seed, reduce labor cost, conserve water and improve soil structure and carbon sequestration. The no-till seeding approach to planting avoids disturbing the soil structure like traditional tilling does. From 2020 through 2023 it was utilized to plant over 1,230 acres in and around Berkshire County.
How Will Berkshire Conservation District Assist Farmers? BCD will provide training and support and will assist with delivery and pick up as needed.
Cost The No-Till Seeder is available now through BCD for just $50 per day, plus delivery fee depending on location. While funding lasts, we are able to offer no fee per acre in 2024, so get your rental forms in early!
What are the steps to rent a No-Till Seeder?
1. Fill out the Rental Application HERE
2. Send Evidence of Property and a Certificate of Liability Insurance listing the Berkshire Conservation District as an additional insured to [email protected]
3. Pay a refundable $50 deposit to hold the date(s) requested by mail or online through PayPal. Scan and email your Rental Agreement cover page, Evidence of Property and Certificate of Insurance to [email protected] to reserve your rental dates. Alternatively, you can mail your deposit with Rental Agreement page and Evidence of Property and Certificate of Insurance to: 78 Center St., Suite 102, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
4. Our Program Manager will contact you to confirm the rental dates
Reserve your preferred rental dates early, as there is typically a lot of interest in spring from farmers ready to try the no-till method and repeat rentals.
Some comments from recent renters of the 5512 no-till seeder:
“It was surprisingly simple to operate and exceeded my expectations.”
“This rental program makes the benefits of a modern drill available to smaller scale farmers that otherwise would never be able to afford this equipment. I am recommending this program to my neighbors and we are already making plans to use it next year.”
And comments from recent renters of the 5607 no-till seeder:
“It is truly a game changer in enabling small-medium scale farms to get this work done. I think I may be making a lot more use of it! I will certainly recommend it to other farmers.” – Dom at Moon in the Pond Farm, Sheffield MA
wheels in dry stubble soil
Esch 5607
5607 hooked up
Esch 5607
