| A PUBLICATION DEDICATED TO MAXIMIZING YIELD POTENTIAL
No-till and Strip-till: Looking Better
Than Ever
Farming is often a livelihood for generation after
generation of a family. Practices are passed down and
refined over the years, and the appeal of sticking with
methods that are familiar and that bring attractive yields
is obvious.
But agriculture is also an evolving science—new
techniques and theories are tested and evaluated, and
ways to improve upon what were once commonly accepted
practices are being introduced. |
Tilled strips warm more
quickly
in the spring |
No-till and strip-till methods are two such practices. Although they
have been around for some time, only relatively recently
has research become conclusive on their long-term feasibility. The benefits
of both practices outweigh the drawbacks in many circumstances.
A farmer in central
Illinois planting 300
acres of corn will save
44% in fuel costs in
switching from
conventional tillage to
no-till.
Visit the web site
ecat.sc.egov.usda.gov to
make your own
comparison. |
|
At the forefront
of the revived interest in alternatives to conventional
tillage is the pressure brought by increasing fuel
prices. That no-till and strip-till systems require
fewer passes through the field and therefore save
fuel money is no secret. But recent spikes in prices
have more conventional tillage farmers revisiting
the option of reduced tillage systems.
|
The lag-time associated with making the necessary process and equipment
adjustments is beginning to pale in comparison to the economic hardships
that accompany four or five passes worth of diesel fuel.
Residue on the surface also serves another purpose—carbon sequestering.
According to a study by the University of Illinois, converting to no-till
is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the build-up of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere because residue holds carbon in the soil. As
the global warming phenomenon gains media attention, this fact is also
positive, although the results are not readily apparent.
Conservation tillage is also favorable because of other, more practical,
environmental benefits. It’s widely known that residue on the soil
surface prevents erosion, conserves moisture, improves tilth, and reduces
crusting tendencies.
| In the end, however, the decision on whether or not
to switch to no- or strip-tillage is often about the
numbers. Research shows that no-till systems, when managed
properly, offer better economic returns than conventional
tillage. |
Corn-soybean
rotation greatly
improves corn
yields in no-till. |
While yield lagged in some cases, reduced investment of time, equipment,
and fuel compensated for this difference. Whether in the first year of
no-till planting or the fifteenth, returns remain consistent—an
area that once raised concerns.
| Experts agree that when possible,
strips should be prepared in the fall.
However, producers need to consider
labor required for harvest versus
labor required for tillage to make
sure it is feasible for their operation. |
Strip-till practices are slightly newer than both no-till
and conventional tillage systems, but the concept of
strip-tillage is clearly advantageous. It generally offers
about 70 percent of the residue coverage associated with
no-till but also the prepared seedbed of conventional
tillage. The tilled strips warm more quickly in the spring,
allowing farmers to get into strip-tilled fields earlier
than those with full ground cover. |
To date, research shows that strip-till generally produces yields slightly
higher than no-till and intermediate to conventional tillage.
For crops
being planted into high-residue fields, strip-till has more
proven advantages. Corn planted into 6-inch tilled strips following high-residue
crops like corn, grains, or hay showed yield increases of almost 10 percent.
| Equipment designed to meet the challenges that come
with strip- and no-till systems is now readily available,
and is making these tillage systems feasible in more
conditions than ever before. Costs associated with both
tillage systems’ equipment are reasonable.
|
It is recommended that striptillage be practiced on
relatively flat land with poorly drained soils, where
soil temperatures tend to be cold. No-till is a good
choice for fields that are hilly or have steep slopes.
Fields where weeds can easily be controlled with herbicides
and that have good drainage are also good no-till candidates. |
A successful no-till operation is the result of a planter suited to
the task. Even no-till planters require careful adjustment
to ensure success in varying field conditions—observing these differences
and compensating for them is essential. In heavy or wet residue
conditions, a two-coulter, offset coulter, or v shaped two-disc setup
may be necessary.
No-till and strip-till systems require fewer
passes through the field
|
The development drills for crops other than corn has
increased the appeal of no-till for some farmers. Many
drills feature one disk blade to cut soil and a frogger
to widen the slot. A closing wheel pushes the soil over
the seed after it is dropped into the slot. |
Strip-till operations require the purchase or fabrication of a toolbar
with a variety of attachments, many of which may already be part of a
conventional tillage operation and need only slight modifications.
| Residue management and coulter tillage
are important steps in effective strip tillage. Clearing
residue creates a clean seedbed for planting, and proper
tillage methods ensure an ideal seedbed for next year.
Aggressive and durable residue managers specially engineered
to tackle tough residue are now widely available.
|
Residue managers clear residue ahead
of berm builders. |
Typical strip till tools also include anhydrous ammonia application
knives or other fertilizer injection systems. When choosing knives, it
is important to consider soil disturbance, depth, type of fertilizer,
and ground speed. Precision fertilizer placement tools place fertilizer
in a zone where roots will intercept it and reap the benefits throughout
the growing season.
In strip-tillage, planting into the strips prepared the previous fall
was tricky but important to the success of the crop. Advances in automatic
tractor steering technology controlled by global positioning have made
it easier for farmers to plant into strip-till rows. While not an inexpensive
option, it is an example of how technology continues to evolve in support
of conservation tillage practices.
In both strip and no-tillage systems, closing the seed trench well is
imperative. Good seed to-to-soil contact will greatly contribute to uniform
germination, strong stands, and better yields. There are a wide variety
of sealing and closing options available to suit the needs of every operation.
Conventional tillage typically requires
fives passes through the same field. No-till requires
only two to three passes, typically an application
of nitrogen, planting, and possibly a follow-up trip
to broadcast fertilizer. Strip-till requires only two
passes, the first in the fall prepare the strips and
the second in the spring to fertilize and plant.
|
Once the correct equipment is acquired, producers realize
savings year after year. As the cost of labor increases,
three less trips through a field becomes more appealing. |
No-till and strip-till are practices that can have obvious benefits
when undertaken in the right set of circumstances. Developing
the right processes for each individual operation takes time,
but with patience and dedication to appropriate management
techniques, economic and environmental gains will result.
|
Visit www.yetterco.com to review past issues of The Leading Edge
and Yetter products that maximize your yield potential. |
Notice – The
information contained in this guide is offered in good
faith by Yetter Mfg. Co., Inc. to further the understanding
of no-till farming. However, the use of the information
provided is beyond the control of Yetter Mfg. Co., Inc.
and in no case shall Yetter Mfg. Co., Inc. or any seller
of its products be responsible for any damages which may
occur from the use of this information. All such risks
shall be assumed by the user.
Yetter Manufacturing Co., Inc.
109 S. McDonough
Colchester, Illinois 62326
Phone:800-447-5777
FAX: 309-776-3222
www.yetterco.com
E-mail:info@yetterco.com |
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