Editor's Note: This article was originally published in April 2000.
One of the hot topics during last January’s National No-Tillage Conference dealt with the the pros and cons of adding seed coverers or seed firming attachments to a no-till planter or drill.

Here’s a rundown on what attendees at the Des Moines conference had to say, along with comments received to a similar question posted on our No-Till Farmer Web site.

Press, Contain.

The Keetons press seed in loose soil while the Rebounders hold seed in the furrow. The Rebounders work better in wet conditions as the Keeton attachments can get sticky in wet soils.

—Philip Pinch, Brandon, Wis.

Add Fertilizer.

Someone torched our Machine shed in the Spring of 1998 and the first thing I did when I bought a used no-till planter was to add Keeton seed firmers with the starter fertilizer tubes. They make a tremendous difference.

—Larry Tombaugh, Streator, Ill.

Both Work.

Both no-till planter attachments were discussed at length during last January’s No-Till On The Plains Conference in Salina, Kan.

Farmers said the Keeton seed firmer presses the seed into the bottom of the seed slot for improved seed-to-soil contact. The Rebounder keeps seed from bouncing out of the seed slot and pulls dirt from the sides of the slot to cover the seed. Both units can be installed with liquid fertilizer hose connections.

From the information I acquired and the demonstrations I saw, I’ll order Keeton seed firmers for my no-till drill and add…